PROGRESSIVE DANE WANTS END TO WAR ON DRUGS

Thank you for your excellent editorial on the current failed Prohibition
(July 9).

It is a welcome change that more and more people and publications are
willing to speak out about the dire need for a change in direction in our
country's approach to drug use.

We want to point out that there is a local political party, with 17 elected
officials in office, that includes anti-Prohibitionist language in its
platform. That party is Progressive Dane. Candidates who wish to be
endorsed by Progressive Dane must agree to support the organization's
platform, which states, "Drug use and abuse should be treated as a public
health rather than a law enforcement issue."

Many of Progressive Dane's endorsed elected officials have shown leadership
on this issue. Ald. Judy Olson successfully introduced a resolution to
study the cost and effectiveness of drug law enforcement in the city, and
other PD-endorsed alders and county supervisors have worked closely with
Progressive Dane's Drug Policy Task Force to help us navigate the local
government and to draft relevant legislation.

The Greens and Libertarians have also taken anti-Prohibitionist positions.
But it ought not be an issue relegated to so-called "third parties." Anyone
who cares about the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, fiscal
responsibility, or human rights in general, has a vested interest in
working for an end to the war on drugs.

Signed, Progressive Dane Drug Policy Task Force:

Stephanie Rearick, chair; Ald. Brenda Konkel, Ald. Judy Olson, Barbara
Vedder, Lucy Gibson, Gary Storck, Jon Hain, James Reinke and Bruce Rideout