THE FAILED DRUG WAR

Re "Happy 40th, Drug War" (Guest comment, by Jay Bergstrom, July
7):

Speaking as a retired detective, I heartily agree with the
anti-prohibition views of Jay Bergstrom.

When I first strapped on a badge and gun, my task was simple:
protecting the weak from the strong-public safety. When the War on
Drugs ramped up, the personal safety of citizens in their own homes
became important. We became like parents. "Now Charlie, if you don't
take the cocaine out of your nose I am going to tell your father ... I
mean the judge." Politicians thought the government could fix stupid
via the police. Oops.

I look forward to the day my profession returns to a task we are good
at: public safety. Got a drug problem, Charlie? See a doctor. I got
better things to do than chase you.

Howard Wooldridge

Springville, Calif.