Pubdate: Wed, 03 Apr 2013
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2013 Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspaper
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/198
Author: Dick Russell

TIME TO END WAR ON DRUGS

Regarding "Mexico must curb cartel violence" (Page B11, Sunday), the 
essay misses the point entirely. The only way Mexico can curb drug 
war violence is for the U.S. to cease the war on drugs. The drug war 
has been a lost cause since its inception, just as was Prohibition, 
and should be scrapped.

Both did and have caused extreme lawlessness here and abroad for no 
good end. The Mafia et al. spawned by Prohibition turned to the more 
profitable drug trade after alcohol was legalized. We should note 
that at least Prohibition was sanctioned by a constitutional 
amendment, which brings into question the constitutionality of the 
war on drugs.

Former president of Mexico Vicente Fox said the U.S. should legalize 
drugs to curb violence, and an International panel concedes the war 
on drugs is lost. Why can't the U.S. feds see the truth? Are too many 
of them earning salaries from waging the lost war and have a vested 
interest in keeping on spending our tax dollars on this lost cause?

Dick Russell, Houston
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