DAMAGE CAUSED BY FAILED DRUG WAR

THANKS TO the Globe, Opio Lumumba Sokoni, and Jill Soffiyah Elijah for the
excellent articles on the Thinking Big page ("Souls on Ice," Oct. 13). The
damage to our society from the failed drug war, as is so aptly pointed out
in their articles, is staggering. The drug laws are enforced in a manner
that is severely discriminatory. In city neighborhoods drug laws have
handed power to the black market.

Bostonians will finally have an opportunity to demand alternatives to the
drug war. About half of Boston voters will be able to support a demand for
the decriminalization of marijuana possession next month. Though it is,
admittedly, only a small step toward the end of the drug war, as Laotzu
said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."

Bill Downing

Reading