New approach needed to win war on drugs

A few years ago, I took part in a program to help inmates at Dwight Correctional Center express their feelings by writing and then acting out what they had written. I shall never forget what I heard as we got ready to leave.

A child of 3 or 4 was sitting on his grandmother’s lap, crying inconsolably. He had just visited with his mother and now would not see her again for who knows how long.

Was his mother one of the many women serving time for the nonviolent crime of using or possessing illegal drugs?

The Global Commission on Drug Policy recently came out with a report on the 40th anniversary of the war on drugs in which they declared the war was a failure and called for treatment for addicts and greater enforcement of the criminal organizations profiting from the drug trade.

I urge you to ask your representative to consider the recommendations of this group. You might also want to support the Drug Policy Alliance, 70 W. 36th St., 16th Floor, New York, NY, 10018.

Elaine Martinez

Roselle