LURE OF EASY MONEY

Editor:

Editor: I am writing in response to all the recent news articles concerning
those unfortunate deputies. I read the news on a Web site called the "Media
Awareness Project" (MAP). This site is updated at real time, with real news
articles, placing it right on the front line of the drug war.

The drug business, unlike the drug war, does not discriminate. Anyone can
join, cops and kids alike. Just like prohibition of alcohol before it, drug
prohibition creates its own crime. Through our desire for moral purity, we
are destroying all that is good. No one is perfect, but you would think
some were, with the decade of prison time we are now imposing.

Despite our good intentions, and all of our money spent, this war has made
things even worse. It would be different if our children were actually
prevented from drugs, but that's just not the case. And jailing half a
million non-violent Americans so far, although helping to elect
politicians, has not changed anything at all.

Perhaps we need a new plan, or new planners. Legalization, although not as
popular as repression, would eliminate this crime, and perhaps the underage
usage as well.

William Smith

Columbia, Tenn.