Pubdate: Mon, 11 Sep 2000
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2000 Houston Chronicle
Contact:  Viewpoints Editor, P.O. Box 4260 Houston, Texas 77210-4260
Fax: (713) 220-3575
Website: http://www.chron.com/
Forum: http://www.chron.com/content/hcitalk/index.html
Author: John Shomaker

A SMART BUSINESS RULE

In the Sept. 6 Viewpoints column, William Heartsill's letter to the editor said, "The only way we can win this situation [the drug war] is to send troops and occupy Colombia."

I'm really sorry to disappoint Heartsill, but that won't win the war against illegal drugs -- it will only drive up street prices, and only temporarily.

The truth is that the majority of the citizens (and especially the politicians) won't acknowledge the fact that drug trafficking, even if it is illegal, is still a business that operates on sound business principles: You always send your supply where there is a demand.

The problem is ours, not Colombia's.

John Shomaker, Houston
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager