ATTEMPT TO DISTRACT

To the Editor:

Responding to Redford Given's proposal to end drug prohibition ("Hasn't
worked yet," Feb. 25), Frank Powell suggests that by logical extension,
this would compel the repeal of laws against robbery and other plainly evil
criminal acts ("That's a brilliant idea," March 2).

Funny, I am unaware of any evidence that the repeal of alcohol prohibition
70 years ago led to the slightest departure from traditional law, order and
justice in our society.

No doubt, though, simpletons of that era recited the identical argument in
favor of continued prohibition.

In fact, this is not really an argument at all, but merely a clownish
attempt to distract us from seriously considering the issue.

Labeling Given's proposal a California social fad, Powell's alternative is
to imprison addicts, give them drugs and periodically "drag away the bodies
to avoid health and pollution problems".

California may or may not be the wellspring of social trends, but Powell's
proposal certainly recalls a particular German social movement that
flourished in the '30s and '40s.

Mett Ausley, Lake Waccamaw, N.C.