Thank you for two very interesting letters about drug policy
in your Oct. 4 issue. Tracy Ryan added to your article about
Judge Gray's recent appearance where he described the
drug war as a failure. She advocated reform, including the
legalization of marijuana.

Sandra Lacar's letter claimed that "500,000 people die
needlessly from drugs, alcohol and tobacco."

Unfortunately, the executive director of the Coalition For a
Drug-Free Hawaii implies that drugs are more of a problem than
alcohol or tobacco.

Actually, more than 400,000 Americans die each year from
tobacco, over 100,000 literally drink themselves to death,
and about 10,000 fall victim to illegal drugs (which are often
adulterated or tainted). There is no record of any deaths from
medical complications due to smoking marijuana.

The evidence supports Tracy's conclusion that our constitutional
rights to private property are being violated by people who
systematically distort the dangers of marijuana to continue
their government subsidies.

The Rev. Dennis Shields
Captain Cook, Hawaii
Via the Internet