I particularly liked the statement that Downey is a hopeless junkie. Thanks for the honesty. Until he is able to admit that to himself, nothing will change.

The nation, like the individual in the throes of addiction, must be willing to admit defeat before any real change can take place.

Escalating the war on drugs is a disaster. It assumes that the war is still being fought and there is hope for victory. Who is going to have the courage to admit this one simple fact - the war on drugs has long since been over, and we lost.

Robert Downey Jr., as Ms. Malkin's article suggests, is not a bad person - he is sick and in need of help. He will only survive with the help of other addicts who have been where he is and can show him the way back home.

Joseph Harte

Brooklyn

He has had both options in front of him, and the only course of safety for him and the public is to lock him up for a long time and keep him off the streets, away from dealers and out of strangers' homes.

Mike Lovelock

Spring Hill, Fla.

Voters do have a choice.

Gary Snyder