Tax Funds to Fight Drug War

Re “More Drugs Flow Into U.S. Than Estimated,” Nov. 14: What would you do with $1.5 billion? I knew exactly what the purpose of this press release by our “government authorities” (always anonymous) meant. They want more, more of our hard-earned tax dollars to expand their drug war. They are currently wasting almost $18 billion a year on their war.

They are admitting that they have failed in their 70-year war on drugs and that the hundreds of billions of dollars of our tax money have not been enough. They want more money to continue a failed program! I was reminded of that joke: “If you want to make sure crime doesn’t pay, make it a government program.” But using public money for ineffective programs is not funny.

They say they need only about $1.5 billion more of our money to give to the Colombian government next year. This is an outrageous waste and another insult to the intelligence of the American people. We so desperately need funds for the education of our children, medical care for our elderly and lots of dollars to improve our fire and police departments.

I say no more dollars for a futile drug war.

JEAN FLEMING

Studio City

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Prohibition accomplished nothing except the creation of a black market, the rise of a powerful criminal class (the Mafia) and a spike in the crime rate. It had little, if any, impact on the consumption of alcohol in America.

Aside from the substance banned, can someone please explain to me the difference between Prohibition and the war on drugs?

BARBARA BECKLEY

Los Angeles