Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jan 2009 Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC) Copyright: 2009 Asheville Citizen-Times Contact: http://www.citizen-times.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/863 Author: Linda Thornton Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n1152/a02.html?1405 WAR ON DRUGS CAN BE WON ONLY BY A GREATER POWER Regarding the letters, "U.S. drug use is funding the destruction of Mexico," (AC-T, Dec. 22) and "Ineffective war on drugs causes harm everywhere," (AC-T, Dec. 26): Since the "war on drugs" began, billions of dollars have been spent. Did it work? No. Drug cartels are ruthlessly taking over everywhere. If people were well-adjusted, they wouldn't have a need to take something in the attempt to "get happy." Sadly, people of every race and economic status everywhere have despair and emptiness inside; they try to fill the void with something that eventually just makes them sadder and poorer. Families of drug addicts, as well as alcoholics, suffer. It is a vicious cycle. Everyone loses, but more money is made. This system is broken. Can a politician, you or I fix it? The answer comes from a writing 2,588 years ago. "I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps," Jeremiah 10:23. "In the last days perilous times shall come ... men will be lovers of themselves ... without natural affection...lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God," 2 Timothy 3:1. I commend those who fight, but they are up against the dragon (Revelation 12:9). The only one who can ultimately conquer the dragon will be God Almighty (Psalms 83:18). Linda Thornton Asheville - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin