POOR DRUG POLICY MAINTAINS CYCLE OF ADDICTION

Re: "Can Webb save drug court?" Oct. 17 editorial.

The Post failed to take into account a fundamental flaw in the
carrot-and-stick approach to drug treatment. Fear of criminal sanctions
compels problem drug users to suffer in silence. Turnout at Alcoholics
Anonymous meetings would be rather low if alcoholism were a crime pursued
with zero-tolerance zeal.

Drug policy should focus not on reducing the total number of people who use
drugs, but rather on reducing the death, disease, crime and suffering
associated with both drug use and drug enforcement. Prohibition fuels crime
and violence, which is used to justify more drug-war spending. It's time to
end this madness.

All substance abuse is a public-health problem. Eliminating the stigma and
penalties associated with drug abuse would facilitate rehabilitation and
save lives. Drug abuse is bad; the drug war is worse.

ROBERT SHARPE, Program Officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.