Pubdate: Thu, 18 Jan 2001
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  PO Box 120191, San Diego, CA, 92112-0191
Fax: (619) 293-1440
Website: http://www.uniontrib.com/
Forum: http://www.uniontrib.com/cgi-bin/WebX
Authors: Richard A. Susskind and Judith Easton
Note: 2 letters
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n063/a09.html

FAILED DRUG WAR CRIES OUT FOR NEW APPROACH

Re: "A changed mind on drug legalization" (Opinion, Jan. 11):

The article by David Klinger hit me like a breath of fresh air. I came to 
the conclusion 40 years ago that legalization of illicit drugs was the only 
sensible way to deal with the problem.

It pains me to see our tax dollars being thrown to the wind in a futile 
effort to wage a "war" on drugs. All this does is drive the prices up and 
make it more profitable for the drug lords. It drains away money needed in 
other areas and fills our prisons with victims who need rehabilitation.

We should legalize all substances, and then wage a war on addiction. Take 
the profit motive away, and the drug supply will dry up on its own. We 
should supply safe drugs to the addicted and, at the same time, offer them 
rehabilitative services.

Only a small percentage of the money we're spending on interdiction would 
be needed to put this plan into effect.

Richard A. Susskind, Coronado

Klinger's suggestions certainly make sense. Rather than continuing to spend 
untold money and time enforcing a system that doesn't work, we could use 
those many millions of dollars to set up strong anti-drug education and 
treatment programs.

Prevention through education would be more successful in the long run.

Judith Easton, La Jolla
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D