I am happy to see that Free Press columnist Brian Dickerson opposes the latest drug legalization effort that voters in Michigan are likely to face in November ( "Overhaul for drug laws is way off target," Aug.  28 ).  If Michigan citizens take a close look at what this constitutional amendment advocates, we will have numerous reasons to oppose it -- and not just that it changes our state Constitution, which was Dickerson's chief complaint. 

This constitutional amendment is not aimed solely at users of marijuana or the use of marijuana for medical purposes, as many believe.  The aims of this amendment are all Schedule 1 controlled substances.  In other words, those who possess any drug that has been determined by the FDA to have no medical benefit -- including heroin, crack cocaine, ecstasy and the date rape drug GHB -- would have the choice to receive treatment or face criminal prosecution. 

The amendment is not directed at just those who possess small quantities of Schedule 1 drugs.  Under this proposal, a prosecutor would have to prove that someone charged with drug trafficking earned a net profit of at least $500,000 from his drug dealing in order to be convicted.  Drug dealers do not file tax returns.  Consequently, no one would be prosecuted for dope dealing in Michigan if this proposal were to pass. 

The war on drugs is not being lost.  There has been a 75-percent decrease in cocaine use in this country in the past 15 years.  That's 4 million fewer people who use cocaine on a regular basis today than years ago.  Also, there are 9 million fewer users of all illegal drugs in America today than in 1979; that's a 50-percent reduction in drug abuse. 

The passing of such a proposal would give young people the impression that there is less risk involved with the use of all illegal drugs, which would reverse the positive trend we have seen since 1979.  If this constitutional amendment passes, it will mean only one thing: cheaper, more powerful drugs on our streets.  Is this what we really want for our kids?

Michael A.  Braun, Special Agent in Charge

U.S.  Department of Justice

Detroit

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DRUG WAR BEING WON

Kudos to Brian Dickerson for coming out against the latest West Coast effort to legalize drugs in Michigan.  He fell prey, however, to the legalizers' mantra that we're losing the war on drugs.  The facts prove otherwise. 

Consider the fact that only 5 percent of Americans currently use drugs.  Also, the Free Press published results of a study showing that, for the first time since 1996, most teens reported that their schools are drug free ( 63 percent ), and that student drug use has steadily declined over the past five years. 

Dickerson also opined that we need to push nonviolent drug offenders into treatment instead of prison.  We already are; of 47,000 Michigan inmates, only 15 are imprisoned solely on drug possession charges. 

James J.  Halushka, Deputy Prosecutor-Warrants and Investigations

Oakland County

Pontiac

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