Pubdate: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 Source: Oklahoman, The (OK) Copyright: 2001 The Oklahoma Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.oklahoman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318 Author: Larry Brittain FAILED DRUG POLICY To The Editor: "Colombian report raises new doubts over U.S. drug war" (Associated Press news story, Sept. 4) was informative. We learn that the U.S. government is spending $1.3 billion for the eradication of one of Colombia's largest cash crops, forcing coca farmers to switch to legal crops. We learn that the spraying of herbicide over 125,000 acres "may" have an environmental impact. And we learn that it's arguable that the money and pollution are doing anything to curb cocaine production. What we do not learn is that the legalization of drugs in the U.S. would end the environmental damage and other concerns over this failed program. Legalization would free up $1.3 billion from this dubious program and many more billions from interdiction, court and incarceration costs currently being squandered by the federal government. In addition, insurgents in Central and South American countries depend largely on drug money to finance their campaigns. The legalization of these drugs by the world's largest consumer (the U.S.) would legitimize these revenues, giving the sitting governments the opportunity to use taxes to replace foreign aid, bankrupt insurgents and start an economy that could compete in the global market. Larry Brittain, Guthrie - --- MAP posted-by: Lou King