Pubdate: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 Source: Post and Courier (SC) Copyright: 2001 Evening Post Publishing Co. Contact: 134 Columbus Street Charleston, SC 29403-4800 Website: http://www.charleston.net/ Author: Joseph L. Chandler WAR ON DRUGS In response to the recent letter on the "drug trade," the author has two correct premises: 1) the ingestion of illegal drugs is harmful; and 2) the drug trade can be profitable to criminals. Unfortunately, that's where reality ends and fantasy begins. Taking "drug war" to mean anti-narcotic legislation and its enforcement, it can only be considered "unconstitutional" insofar that the president's Cabinet (which Washington established), the Louisiana Purchase (which Jefferson defended until his death), and statutory laws prohibiting armed robbery, rape and murder are unconstitutional by their omission from the same. As a society and nation, we must unequivocally decide whether or not we are really prepared to do all that is necessary to enforce the current drug laws. While there is no constitutional mandate to be consistent, the solvency and integrity of our necessary laws must not be weakened by half-measures in enforcement and half-resolve on part of the public. We must either dedicate ourselves to extreme and/or innovative ways to the cause of illegal drug eradication in our country, or relax, repeal, and face the dire consequences. The consequences are a nation with even fewer moral taboos, and the crime that will inevitable follow with the influx of 2 million criminals back into our community. Those with the habit will continue to do whatever is necessary to maintain and escalate. You decide whether the drug war should do the same, then write to your legislators. JOSEPH L. CHANDLER Isle of Palms - --- MAP posted-by: GD