DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUGS

Re: The letter "Clandestine Meth Labs" (A-J, 8-28).

What law enforcement needs is not specialized training on how investigators
can make methamphetamine lab bust methods safer. What law enforcement needs
is for the decriminalization of methamphetamine and other drugs considered
illegal.

The lure of money from manufacture, or sales, is so powerful. (Especially
with the 18- to 25-year-olds who, in my opinion, are the largest group
associated with manufacture).

I believe the "war on drugs" raises the price of illegal drugs by 17,000
percent (no exaggeration). It supports the multi-million- dollar-a-year
prison industry by supplying it with non-violent drug users (instead of
offering less expensive drug treatment and counseling).

The "war on drugs" is the true evil facing our law enforcement and society.
It takes focus from law enforcement protecting society. If as much
exuberance and money for training courses were spent on crimes like child
sex offenders, robbery, rape, assault, murder, etc., as is spent on drug
crimes, America would have a lot less criminal activity, in my opinion.

Prohibition on alcohol created more crim inals than legalized alcohol. And
drug prohibition is creating the same if not worse.

Many European countries have proven that regulation and decriminalization
of drugs, along with education, have lowered crime rates as well as drug
use. So let us follow their lead, and let our law enforcement receive
specialized training in violent crimes. And keep our society safe from
violent criminals.

CINDY BEESINGER

Lubbock Via e-mail