Pubdate: Mon, 12 Aug 2002
Source: Tennessean, The (TN)
Copyright: 2002 The Tennessean
Contact:  http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447
Author: Bill Deckard

WAR ON DRUGS NEEDS MORE FUNDING

To the Editor:

Henry Brackin's letter Aug. 7 (''Lengthy war on drugs accomplished 
nothing'') demands a response to which I would like to say the following: 
There are already 44,000 gun laws on the books nationwide.

To make that statement simpler, there are sufficient laws already, if only 
these laws would be enforced and the offenders sentenced under those same 
laws. While drugs and gangs do go hand in hand, everything possible is 
being done to bring this situation under control. However, the previous 
administration drastically cut the funding amounts that had been set aside 
to fight the ''war on drugs.''

The ''Roaring Twenties'' are 80 years old, and so is the Prohibition. 
Prohibition did not work then; it will not work now. The major cause of its 
failure was the non-compliance with the law. How would Mr. Brackin suggest 
we, as individuals and as a nation, encourage young people to work and earn 
their way when all they see is ''the glitter'' from their ill-gotten gains? 
These kids don't see any value in working for a living. (Is this caused by 
parental failure or by failure of society as a whole?) Legalizing drugs is 
not the answer since the dealers would only steal the drugs and sell them 
more cheaply to whomever, which is exactly what happened during 
Prohibition. Allowing the government to control anything is like letting 
the fox guard the henhouse!

The gangs are still present and so are the bootleggers - and so is the 
Mafia/syndicate. Lip service has been given to the problem, but no 
solutions are offered. When everybody becomes truly involved, then just 
maybe this mess will stop.

Bill Deckard

Tiptonville 38079
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