GOING FURTHER ON DRUG ISSUE

Re: Nov. 19 Arnold Garcia column, "Effects of Mexican drug war
lasting, far-reaching."

Garcia's description of the bleak situation caused by criminal
violence in Mexico is accurate as far as he goes. He fails to name
the reason for the situation - global drug prohibition - or the
solution - replace that policy with drug regulation and destroy the
cartels' monopoly.

A number of Latin American leaders are not so reticent. Former
Mexican President Vicente Fox is outspoken in calling for
legalization and regulation of all drugs.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former president of Brazil, Cesar Gaviria,
former president of Colombia, and Ernesto Zedillo, former president
of Mexico, are all members of the Global Commission on Drug Policy.

The commission has called for replacing global drug prohibition with
"fiscally responsible policies and strategies grounded in science,
health, security and human rights."

Making peace with the cartels is neither a viable, long-term option
nor necessary.

Suzanne Wills

Drug Policy Forum of Texas

Dallas