DRUG WAR A HUGE FAILURE; LET'S TRY SOMETHING ELSE

Kudos to U.S. Senior District Judge John L. Kane for the courage of his
convictions in his article, "America in a Fix" (April 27). He was
informative and insightful and has seen the terrible effect this outdated
policy has had on American society.

His connection of drug dealers and law enforcement as equal beneficiaries
of this insidious quest is profound. Taking this a step further, the only
thing keeping both in business is the legal system itself. Other countries
have seen the benefit of education and decriminalization of drugs. What is
the cost versus benefit of continuing this losing battle?

Take the black-market profit out of drugs and allow those who feel they
must use them to do so safely and at cost. This immediately puts drug
dealers out of business since there is no black market to support the high
prices. Users then would not have to commit crimes to support their habit
and the cost associated with enforcement would drop accordingly.

Third World countries would also benefit since the terrorists who grow and
distribute these drugs would not be able to profit from them. Abolish the
DEA and all supporting functions and spend the money on education and
health care.

Kane correctly points out the hypocrisy of condoning tobacco, alcohol and
legal drugs and the cost to society in health care. What is the difference?
Why don't we try something else since the War on Drugs has been such a
colossal failure? How many more lives must waste away in prison when they
could be contributing to their families and society?

Stephen Peterson, Arvada