DRUG WAR UNWINNABLE

I'm writing about Maryann McCormick's guest column (Dec. 16),
"Legalizing Drugs Is a Really Terrible Idea." My question for
McCormick: Why does she want our now illegal drugs to remain
completely unregulated, untaxed and controlled by criminals?

Norm Stamper is the former chief of police of Seattle, Wash., and he
wrote in The Seattle Times: "Legalize drugs -- all of them." Stamper
is a member of LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition). Four years
ago, LEAP didn't exist. Today they have more than 4,500 members who
are current or former drug warriors (law enforcement personnel, DEA
agents, judges and prosecutors).

Why do so many drug warriors want to end our drug prohibition
policies? Could it be that they know from personal experience that
our drug war is counterproductive and not winnable?

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.