Pubdate: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles Times Contact: Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053 Fax: (213) 237-7679 Feedback: http://www.latimes.com/siteservices/talk_contacts.htm Website: http://www.latimes.com/ Forum: http://www.latimes.com/discuss/ Author: Anita Chernis Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n449/a01.html MISGUIDED DRUG LAWS * Re " 'Twas Ever Thus That Man Chooses His Own Poison," Commentary, March 11: Robert Scheer presents a lucid justification for treating the drug "problem" with the same reasoning as the alcohol "problem." Emotional projections blur the differences. The solution seems simple. Punish the person who commits a crime using drugs the same as the person who commits a crime using alcohol. Stop punishing victimless crimes. Anita Chernis Studio City - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart