Drug War Spending
Re “A New Front in Colombia’s War Against Drugs,” May 6: The Times reports that the United States will spend $1.3 billion in a two-year effort to eliminate half the cocaine produced in Colombia. I am not surprised that our government would pour such sums down a rat hole, but how could a serious newspaper print such an article without raising the question of the benefits of such a program?
Even if we accept this 50% reduction as a plausible goal, what is the effect in the real world? Will production and the war move to neighboring countries? Will consumption be reduced? Even if it is, will users then switch to other products?
When billions are spent and when we participate in another war without clear goals, I would expect better reporting in The Times.
Bill Homan
Granada Hills
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