Pubdate: Sun, 11 Feb 2001 Source: Columbia Daily Tribune (MO) Copyright: 2001 Columbia Daily Tribune Contact: 101 North 4th Street, P.O. Box 798 Columbia, MO 65205 Feedback: http://www.showmenews.com/forms/formletter.htm Website: http://www.showmenews.com/ Author: Name withheld upon request TOO MANY UNCERTAINTIES EXIST TO LEGALIZE DRUGS Editor, the Tribune: I note with interest the Jan. 27 Craig Van Matre column on the drug problem. Van Matre had seen the movie "Traffic" and concluded that the current law enforcement approach is hopeless. It would indeed be hard to come to any other conclusion at the end of this film, the basic reality of which I don't contest; I also saw it. However, the current situation does not inexorably lead to the conclusion that legalization is the only solution, as Van Matre, Hank Waters and other commentators, liberal and conservative alike, seem to believe. Because the situation is so complex, put me down as "undecided" until the following are resolved: If drug use is legalized, it will surely increase as there is no longer any restraint of fear based upon legal concerns. Can anyone say with certainty how much higher the percentage of drug use will be if legalization occurs? Has anyone closely studied drug legalization experiments now occurring in Switzerland and the Netherlands? The little I have heard is not encouraging. Finally, is it not appropriate for our society to say, through our elected representatives, that drug use is a menace and contrary to our core values and that it should therefore be illegal, even if we know the end result is of dubious efficacy from a criminal justice standpoint? I don't know what to do. That's why I'm "undecided" and still waiting for answers to these questions. Hopefully, we'll wait for more answers before trying legalization. Name withheld upon request - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager