IN THE DAYS BEFORE DRUG LAWS

George F. Will makes an unaccustomed historical error in assuming
there were statutes against drug use when the 14th Amendment was
passed ["The Abortion Argument We Missed," op-ed, Dec. 1].

In fact, drug laws are a 20th-century invention.

In my grandparents' youth, the right to use drugs was commonly
accepted: Opium, morphine and other narcotics were available over the
counter. Local laws against Chinese opium smoking began to appear in
the late 19th century, but these laws were directed at commercial
dens, not private use. Not until the 20th century, when laws against
possession began to be enacted, did state laws target drug users.

It is testimony to Americans' lack of historical memory that we
assume there were always laws against drugs. In fact, our Victorian
ancestors managed perfectly well without them.

DALE GIERINGER

Berkeley, Calif.

The writer is director of the Drug Policy Forum of California and
state coordinator for the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws .