Pubdate: Wed, 04 Sep 2002 Source: Erie Times-News (PA) Copyright: 2002 Erie Times-News Contact: http://www.goerie.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1347 Author: Kirk Muse Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1587/a11.html DRUG WAR DISDAINED Thanks for publishing Robert Sharpe's outstanding letter: "Drug War Disdained" (8-26-02). I'd like to add that our counterproductive drug war has been a colossal waste of our tax money. In 1969 the federal drug enforcement budget was $65 million. This year it's $19.2 billion. A 295 fold increase. If the 1969 price of gas of 34 cents per gallon had risen at the same rate, we would now be paying greater than $100.00 for a gallon of gasoline. The net result: anybody who wants drugs can still get them. Just as easily as in 1969. It's time to end this insanity. It's time to do something different--substantially different. Kirk Muse, Mesa, AZ - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D