Addiction Research

Re “Booze, Drugs and Prisons,” editorial, Jan. 18: In 1936 the American Medical Assn. declared addiction to be a disease. Since then we have defeated infantile paralysis, created the Atomic Age, walked on the moon and now imprison a number of people larger than the population of 15 states.

The enzyme that causes addiction was identified in 1975. Since then we have created the Internet, cloned the perfect lamb chop and transformed an affliction into our penitentiary-industrial complex.

In-custody treatment? Good idea. A better idea would be to harness the horse before it leaves the barn. Whether it shall be realized intentionally or by accident, recent science makes a cure imminent. Sadly, our hysterical preoccupation with prohibition places such a cure beyond our intentional grasp.

Why not beat drug-war swords into the peaceful plowshares of addiction research that will ultimately defeat all addictions?

CHRIS CAUHAPE

Indio