Nancy Johnson's praise of Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey is uninformed and undeserved. General McCaffrey is simply not a "straight-on, honest" person, as evidenced by his comments on drug policies here and abroad. While preparing for a fact-finding tour last summer, McCaffrey announced that: "The murder rate in Holland is double that in the United States," and "The overall crime rate in Holland is probably 40 percent higher than in the United States. That's drugs." In fact, the Dutch homocide rate is about one-fifth of our own, and other crimes are less frequent, per capita. [continues 122 words]
Imprisoning drug dealers for life may sound appealing but it will only worsen social ills related to drug use. Examine the failures of prohibitions in other democracies. In response to fears of drug addiction, lawmakers in my country enacted similar legislation years ago, and we will be paying for it for decades to come. When fierce penalties are mandated for dealers, nothing is done to reduce demand. At the same time, prices are driven up, leading to endemic violence and corruption. The answer to drug abuse lies not in interdiction efforts, but in education and treatment. Danny Terwey Santa Cruz, California [end]
I urge all citizens to seriously think about David McLetchie's latest proposal before lending it any support (News, March 28). Imprisoning drug dealers for life may sound appealing but it will only worsen social ills related to drug use. Examine the failures of prohibitions in other democracies. In response to fears of drug addiction, lawmakers in my country enacted similar legislation years ago, and we will be paying for it for decades to come. When fierce penalties are mandated for dealers, nothing is done to reduce demand. At the same time, prices are driven up, leading to endemic violence and corruption. The answer to drug abuse lies not in interdiction efforts, but in education and treatment. Danny Terwey Santa Cruz, California [end]
"For the record, I'd like to point out there are accepted beneficial uses for thalidomide ( leprosy, I believe). That it can result in birth defects simply rules out its use in cases where a pregnancy might be compromised. Should ignorant governments prevent legitimate use just because of potential misuse? Danny Terwey (Canada doesn't have a leprosy problem, Danny.) [end]
* Mr. DiIulio has it right: Incarcerating civilians for crimes of consent--crimes with no true victims--is an obnoxious perversion of the government our Founders created. We have forfeited too many civil liberties in our zeal to create a drug-free America, never admitting how impossible the goal is. Danny Terwey Santa Cruz, Calif. [end]
DANNY TERWEY Santa Cruz, Calif. [end]
It's no wonder DEA Administrator Thomas Constantine is reviled by many of his subordinates within the organization. He seems to be the only voice of reason coming from that agency. It's amazing that we live in a society of capitalism, yet deny the logistics of supply and demand when it comes to national drug policy. The best approach to dealing with substance abuse is a combination of education and treatment. Violence begets violence, and we are sick of this civil war. Danny Terwey, Santa Cruz, California. [end]
Danna Terwey Santa Cruz, Calif. [end]
To the editor: Andrea MacDonald's article exposing Canada's difficulties in policing the drug trade states marijuana is the most common illegal drug. It should be. The negative effects of marijuana use are comparable with those of alcohol and cigarette use. Will we be trying to prohibit smokes and booze anytime soon? In many places, the war on drugs is simply a war on marijuana. Reasonable citizens can't respect it, and the authorities will continue to lose ground until marijuana use is decriminalized. Danny Terwey Santa Cruz, Calif. Via the Internet - --- Checked-by: Patrick Henry [end]
For the past few years, I have been studying biochemistry and believe that all the tools needed to end this vicious war on drugs are in the hands of scientists. We have the means available to find the genes responsible for production of almost any chemical in plants. We can now copy these genes and introduce them into other plant species (yes, we call it cloning). In a few short years, the drug warriors could be attempting to eradicate new varieties of maize; let's call them "corncaine" and "cornijuana". The governments fight with lies, coercion, and violence. The intellectuals fight with ideas and information. History will choose the victor. Danny Terwey, Santa Cruz, -- California [end]
Danny Terwey (Or the war on greenhouse gas emissions or the war on shoplifting or the war on ....) [end]
* Re "Officer's Arrest Triggers Corruption Probe," Aug. 29: Corruption in the Los Angeles Police Department? Officers stealing cocaine for profit? Surely you must be mistaken! Seriously, folks, it's time we took away the main source of temptation. Our national and state drug policies have proven to be utter failures. There always has been, and always will be, a huge demand for recreational drugs. Whenever the law artificially inflates prices, some entrepreneur is going to go for the cash. Our prisons are full, and no amount of money will eliminate drug use. End this misbegotten prohibition. DANNY TERWEY Santa Cruz Copyright 1998 Los Angeles Times. All Rights Reserved - --- Checked-by: Pat Dolan [end]
