Pubdate: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2009 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/formnewsroom Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 Author: Scott Graves Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n046/a06.html Editor's note: The Times received many letters concerning the City Council resolution including language about discussing legalization of drugs. Some of these were written before the resolution veto was upheld. DRUG WAR FAILURE AMERICANS' FAULT The foremost problem with the drug war is that the enemy consists of our own citizens. The drug war, by any measure, is an abject failure. Economic manipulation is part of the answer to solving the problem of drugs. Attacking supply doesn't work. We can alter demand by shifting the billions we spend on enforcement and incarceration to prevention and treatment. Strengthen employment law and fund drug testing of all workers with no recourse to the user that is fired on a positive test. Diminished demand and supply will shrink, along with the profit normally received by dealers and growers. Legalize. Scott Graves East El Paso - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom