Pubdate: Sun, 22 Apr 2001
Source: Times-News, The (ID)
Copyright: 2001 Magic Valley Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.magicvalley.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/595
Author: Eddie Williams

TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT BIG PICTURE

I am writing in response to Mike Matthews' letter calling for the end of 
the "War on Drugs." Let me first say that as retired U.S. military, I find 
his comparison of the war on drugs to the Vietnam War very offensive and 
naive on his part.

The war on drugs is a multifaceted program that operates on many levels and 
for many reasons, least of all to be convenient to anyone. Sure there are 
problem areas and pitfalls but what program of this magnitude wouldn't have?

Mr. Matthews says "the War on Drugs is an unjust war"; all I can say to 
you, Mr. Matthews, is I would like you to go to the state hospital and look 
in the face of a small child born from a crack cocaine mother and tell that 
child that all of the pain and suffering this child will go through is for 
nothing, and then go to an orphanage in Panama where there is a 5-year-old 
child whose parents were killed by members of a South American drug cartel 
and tell him that no one cares and nothing can be done. I ask you, do these 
atrocities constitute that our government or we the people should give up?

You see, Mr. Matthews, the War on Drugs is not happening only in your 
neighborhood or for that matter in the small state of Idaho, but worldwide 
and in epidemic proportions. You need only look at the big picture to see 
this, but first you have to want to!

EDDIE WILLIAMS

Twin Falls
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MAP posted-by: GD