Drug policy fails children

After reading the Oct. 20 Chronicle article by T.J. Milling, "Killers, gang
bangers and drug dealers go for their guns," I am angered by the blindness
of those responsible for our drug policy. Prohibition has laid the children
of our community low, and we have failed them miserably as the adults
entrusted with their upbringing.

Every one of those kids got into trouble on the streets because of the drug
dealers that make their living there. We can waste all the money, time and
effort we wish on programs aimed at helping kids stay off drugs, but as
long as we have prohibition as a national drug policy, those dealers will
still be there.

Arrest one, and within hours another has gladly taken their place. The line
of people waiting to cash in on blackmarket profiteering is endless.

Until the prohibition black market has been killed, nothing will work to
keep drug dealers off our streets. Until prohibition has ended, our kids
will be able to get guns or drugs whenever they want them.

We are in our 26th year of the "War on Drugs." When do you suppose people
will begin catching on? Prohibition is a failure, and it has made failures
of us all.

Arthur R. Sobey,
Houston