PR FOR DRUGS

It looks like khat is going to be our next marijuana ["Once rare, illegal
khat in demand among area immigrants," news story, Aug. 26]. Right now,
most Americans have never heard of khat. That will soon change.

Prior to the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, the vast majority
had never heard of marijuana. Now everybody knows what marijuana is, and
the government estimates that at least 76 million Americans have used it.

Marijuana prohibition has been very successful--sucessful in promoting the
use of marijuana.

Soon politicians will hold hearing on the dangers and evils of khat. Soon
the same politicians will declare that American children must be protected
from khat.

Soon khat will be a household word. Soon our jails and prisons will be
filled with khat users and sellers.

Isn't it great to be protected from the evils of khat?

Kirk Muse, Mesa, Ariz.