Pubdate: Fri, 17 Aug 2001
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Houston Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/198
Author: Matthew DesOrmeaux

REPORT ON THE 'REAL' DANGERS

It was repulsive and hypocritical that the Chronicle's Page One Aug. 15 
article, "Drug-death list grows by three names," was the top story of the day.

So three more people died from drug overdoses on the city's streets . . . 
This country's misguided crusade against recreational substances is nothing 
short of absurd.

When hundreds of thousands of people die from alcohol or tobacco-related 
diseases and accidents every year, three or 30 deaths from cocaine or 
heroin use is anything but news.

Almost 10 times more people die annually from alcohol-related deaths in 
this country than from illegal drug-related deaths, yet these are the ones 
reported on, even in minuscule numbers such as these.

There has never been a more rampant use of the ironic double standard than 
our obsession with illicit drugs and their (marginal) effect on society.

Next time you do a story about something harmful to our nation that is 
killing our compatriots (in relevant numbers), look to obesity, ignorance 
or domestic violence. Those are real threats.

Matthew DesOrmeaux, League City
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens