Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jan 1998
Date: 08/01/1998
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Author: James V. Halloran III
Website: http://www.latimes.com/

McCaffrey's commentary is illogical and misses the main point.
Drug-related crime (i.e., robbery, murder, etc.) still accounts for
two-thirds--by the government's own estimates--of crime against persons.

I have chosen not to join the minority who have put themselves in
harm's way by doing drugs, but I cannot choose not to be a victim of a
crime perpetrated by someone looking for easy money to feed a drug
addiction.

This is the harm driven by the government's draconian
measures.

Our freedoms are also being compromised by "stiff law
enforcement."

McCaffrey's traditional approach is demonstrably a
failure.

We need to try something that "reduces harm" for the vast majority not
involved in the world of drugs, but who are victimized by it daily
through no fault of their own.

JAMES V. HALLORAN III
Redondo Beach