Pubdate: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX) Copyright: 2011 Suzanne Wills Contact: http://www.statesman.com/default/content/feedback/lettersubmit.html Website: http://www.statesman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/32 Author: Suzanne Wills GOING FURTHER ON DRUG ISSUE Re: Nov. 19 Arnold Garcia column, "Effects of Mexican drug war lasting, far-reaching." Garcia's description of the bleak situation caused by criminal violence in Mexico is accurate as far as he goes. He fails to name the reason for the situation - global drug prohibition - or the solution - replace that policy with drug regulation and destroy the cartels' monopoly. A number of Latin American leaders are not so reticent. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox is outspoken in calling for legalization and regulation of all drugs. Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former president of Brazil, Cesar Gaviria, former president of Colombia, and Ernesto Zedillo, former president of Mexico, are all members of the Global Commission on Drug Policy. The commission has called for replacing global drug prohibition with "fiscally responsible policies and strategies grounded in science, health, security and human rights." Making peace with the cartels is neither a viable, long-term option nor necessary. Suzanne Wills Drug Policy Forum of Texas Dallas - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom