Police and Drugs

* With the addition of a third officer to the LAPD drug-corruption scandal (Dec. 2) and the discovery of a possible mass grave in Juarez, Mexico, one thing has become clear to me: Drug prohibition has returned us to the days of Al Capone and alcohol prohibition. This noble experiment has failed to prevent drug use, just as outlawing alcohol failed to stop people from drinking. Instead, a vast river of unregulated drug profits rolls through our city streets, empowering organized crime and turning our cops into thugs.

Without prohibition, these profits would not even exist for police to steal or criminals to spend. Meanwhile, an unknown number of innocent people suffer.

In my eyes, two things must happen. First, a list of every case tainted by these officers should be made available to the public, so that people who may be affected by their corruption can receive fair treatment. Second, as a community, we must focus on a solution that gets both cops and gangs out of the drug supply business.

PAUL M. LEWIN

Palm Springs