Pubdate: Thu, 24 Aug 2000
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2000 News World Communications, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.washtimes.com/
Author: John Corbett
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1204/a02.html

U.S. DRUG CERTIFICATION POLICY SHIFTS BLAME

I agree fully with those who claim that the U.S. policy of certification of 
foreign countries based on their efforts to combat drugs is hypocritical 
and imperialistic. Your editorial "Certified politics" (Aug. 21) helps make 
this case by pointing out our unwavering - and unjustified - support of a 
major drug-trafficking country such as Mexico.

Yet your conclusion that this ineffective and divisive process should be 
preserved and shifted to the Organization of American States rings hollow 
and stands at odds with the rest of your editorial. The very concept of 
certification, as your editorial points out clearly, shifts the blame from 
the largest consumer of illicit drugs to the hapless conduits for their 
production and distribution.

No certification program, no matter how independent it may be, can ever 
free itself from such a flawed premise. This assumes, of course, that the 
United States would agree to allow such an organization to dictate our 
economic and foreign policy.

Pointing fingers never will solve the drug problem.

John Corbett, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D