Drug war strategies

Re “Drug gangs are winning the arms race,” Mexico Under Siege, March 15

Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security secretary, was recently interviewed about the horrific drug war going on in Mexico and how it is moving into our country. She indicated that she was reviewing using the National Guard to intervene at the border in an effort to control drug cartels, smuggling and weapons exports, but did not commit to deployment.

The Mexican cartels have established themselves in cities throughout the U.S. and, according to the Justice Department’s National Drug Intelligence Center, “control drug distribution in most U.S. cities.”

At what point does Napolitano think we should take serious action toward this war at our border?

James Crowley

Saugus

--

How might the U.S. help Mexico? Send in our National Guard? Bomb the marijuana fields and suspected cartel hangouts?

While Franklin Roosevelt’s economic remedies are gaining renewed interest, let’s adopt yet another of his policies: End drug prohibition by regulating the sale and taxation of these substances that, like it or not, are widely consumed.

When alcohol was welcomed back in 1933, bootleggers went bust, street crime lessened and government coffers filled. We know our current policies do not work; let’s try one that does.

Ralph Goldstein

Altadena