AN UNHEALTHY CHOICE

Tuesday's editorial was right on target. A study conducted by the Rand
Corp. found that every additional dollar invested in substance abuse
treatment saves taxpayers $7.46 in societal costs.

There is far more at stake than tax dollars. The drug war is not the
promoter of family values that some would have us believe.

Children of inmates are at risk of educational failure, joblessness,
addiction and delinquency. Not only do the children lose out, but society
as a whole does, too.

Incarcerating non-violent drug offenders alongside hardened criminals is
the equivalent of providing them with a taxpayer-funded education in
anti-social behavior. Turning drug users into unemployable ex-cons is a
senseless waste of tax dollars.

It's time to declare peace in the failed drug war and begin treating all
substance abuse, legal or otherwise, as the public health problem it is.

Destroying the futures and families of citizens who make unhealthy choices
doesn't benefit anyone.

Robert Sharpe
Washington, D.C.