HANDLE DRUG ABUSE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE

Meghan Bohn is right in sharing the sentiment "that the U.S.
government doesn't deal with drug offenders in the most efficient
way." But she misses the mark when she says that because some
recreational users go too far and hurt or kill themselves, some drugs
should be considered a felony ("Mere recreation can kill you," New
Attitudes, April 3).

Cases of drug abuse that bring self-destruction and harm to loved
ones are completely insane and demonstrate that drug abuse is a
psychological problem, not a criminal issue.

Money could be spent more efficiently by treating drug addiction, not
punishing it.

Dale Hackler

Hackler attends the University of Georgia.