Pubdate: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 Source: Boston Globe (MA) Webpage: www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/293/letter/Damage_caused_by_failed_drug_war+.shtml Copyright: 2002 Globe Newspaper Company Contact: http://www.boston.com/globe/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52 Author: Bill Downing DAMAGE CAUSED BY FAILED DRUG WAR THANKS TO the Globe, Opio Lumumba Sokoni, and Jill Soffiyah Elijah for the excellent articles on the Thinking Big page ("Souls on Ice," Oct. 13). The damage to our society from the failed drug war, as is so aptly pointed out in their articles, is staggering. The drug laws are enforced in a manner that is severely discriminatory. In city neighborhoods drug laws have handed power to the black market. Bostonians will finally have an opportunity to demand alternatives to the drug war. About half of Boston voters will be able to support a demand for the decriminalization of marijuana possession next month. Though it is, admittedly, only a small step toward the end of the drug war, as Laotzu said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Bill Downing Reading - --- MAP posted-by: Beth