MISDIRECTED DOLLARS

Washington spent $3.2 million for commercials during the Super Bowl. These
ads "suggest illegal drug sale profits may help fuel terrorism." Certainly
it's true in part; everybody knows millions of dollars leave our shores
each year on their way to dictators, drug lords and criminals of every variety.

What our government does not address is the 1.2 million non-violent drug
users who are already terrorized each year by those riding this eternal
gravy train. The terror may include death, arrest, prison, loss of children
and possessions.

Civilized nations are moving away from the U.S. drug war model to one where
cannabis possession is no longer an arrestable offense and heroin or
methadone is given to addicts by government clinics.

Through a controlled and regulated distribution of drugs to adults, the
whole black-market would disappear overnight, leaving the dealers, drug
lords and terrorists without a market.

DEAN BECKER

Drug Policy Forum of Texas

Houston