Pubdate: Fri, 27 Jun 1997 Source: Newsday Long Island (NY) Author: Thomas J. O'Connell M.D. To The Editor: Newsday,along with every other newspaper in the country, headlines the story of the deal between cigarette manufacturers and the several states suing them for damage to the health of their citizens. If approved by Congress and signed by the President as expected, this agreement will allow the tobacco industry to continue operating and earning profits as they pass the costs of the settlement on to their (addicted) customers. If any proof were needed that for decades, America has conducted a drug policy beyond logic, or even sanity, this deal provides it. A moment's thought is enough to understand that the tobacco industry entered into the deal because they want to remain legal; in other words, government has enormous clout with a legal industry. Ask yourself if the producers and marketers of "illicit" drugs could ever be prevailed upon to enter a room and negotiate with the government. Ask yourself also if the vaunted war on drugs has been successful at anything but enriching criminals, wrecking lives, filling prisons and wasting money that could be better spent elsewhere. Then ask yourself how long we can, in conscience continue to support a destructive insanity with increasing billions of our tax dollars every year. Thomas J. O'Connell San Mateo, CA