TIME TO DECLARE WAR ON DRUGS OVER

As a Bible-believing Christian, senior citizen with a long history of
observing society and surgeon who has cared for the ills of people
for the last 40 years, I would like to ask the people of New
Hampshire to seriously consider declaring the "war on drugs" won and
establish a licensed sales program similar to that used to distribute
alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

I must add that I have never used marijuana or any other
mind-altering drug. I believe they ought not to be used at all by any one.

The "war" cannot be won because the majority of users are productive
citizens who desire to use them "recreationally." The battle corrupts
more law enforcement agents than we imagine. The cost is incredibly
high financially and morally.

Perhaps, most importantly, there is no evidence to suggest that it is
accomplishing anything positive. The money used to fight this war and
the money from regulated, legal sales can be used to meet health-care
costs for those who are unable to pay.

The lessons learned by repealing Prohibition seem to have been missed
by those who create our laws.

The number of alcohol-related accidents and health care problems did
not increase dramatically.

The number of divorces related to alcoholism did not increase
dramatically. Illegal acts related to the production and sale of
alcohol dropped precipitously.

Talk to your kids, your parents, your teachers, your clergy, your
friends and your legislators. Let the dialogue begin.

Daryl Erickson, MD, FACS

Amherst