DRUGS AND TERRORISM

Re: Nov. 10 editorial "Where terror and the drug war meet":

Of course terrorists are taking full advantage of the illegal drug trade
created by U.S. drug policy, the same way alcohol prohibition created the
Mafia.

Drug prohibition, like alcohol prohibition, assumes that government decree
is stronger than the law of supply and demand. It is not.

We had the good sense to repeal alcohol prohibition. We brought the alcohol
business into the light of day where it can be regulated. You won't hear of
kids being killed in alcohol deals gone bad. No terrorist will profit from
illegal alcohol.

It's important to our survival that we learn from our mistakes. We have to
find a way to regulate these drugs. If we don't, drug profits will almost
certainly be used to finance terrorist acts against us.

RICHARD BOWDEN

Austin