FIGHT THE RIGHT DRUG WAR

Kudos for the Feb. 4 editorial Save a penny, lose a life. Drug addiction is
a medical problem, and the prison system has no place in it.

One dollar spent on treatment has the same effect on reducing cocaine use
as $7 spent on law enforcement.

Drug addiction is bad, but the drug war is worse. I am sure that Gov. Jeb
Bush understands this because of his daughter's drug problem, but political
considerations prevent him from viewing his constituents in the same light
as he does his family.

Incarceration is expensive -- and useless. We could save a lot of money if
this were accepted and acted upon.

RICHARD B. WOLF
Coral Gables
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for the editorial regarding the cuts in funding that support
offenders in community-based substance-abuse treatment programs.

The community treatment providers have worked hard to respond to the
changing needs, not only of our clients, but the funding sources. We
appreciate the eloquent recognition that the editorial expressed about the
successful outcome of all our efforts.

Although our client population doesn't generate a strong following of
support and the treatment system lacks ongoing public endorsement of people
who are successfully reentering society, the numbers speak for themselves:
Treatment works.

Many people and their families who have participated in treatment have been
able to regain their lives, foster social enhancement and contribute to the
community in which they live.

I am fortunate to have been able to be a participant in working with this
unique population for the past 30 years.

H. BRUCE HAYDEN
President,
Spectrum Programs
Miami