Pubdate: Tue, 30 Oct 2001
Source: Payson Roundup, The (AZ)
Copyright: 2001 The Payson Roundup
Contact:  http://www.paysonroundup.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1523
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1825/a03.html?2616

LEGALIZING DRUGS IS NOT THE ANSWER

Over the weekend, the Roundup received dozens of letters via e-mail 
criticizing Payson Police Officer Les Barr for his published guest comment 
supporting America's war on drugs.

These letters boast the benefits of legalizing drugs, while condemning all 
public monies spent to support anti-drug programs and enforce the laws.

Because all of the letters came from out of state, we will address their 
collective claim without publishing them.

It is our opinion that anyone who cannot see how drugs terrorize lives and 
can bring irreparable damage to families and communities is choosing to be 
ignorant to the consequences of drug use.

If their effects could be limited only to those who partake of them, the 
argument to legalize drugs may hold water. But this is clearly not the case.

Even if street drugs were legalized, that wouldn't change the impact they 
have on a user's rational thinking or the negative consequences they 
create. More often than not, when a person is under the influence of an 
illegal substance, they do not take responsibility for their actions, their 
families or their jobs. Some users may argue this claim, but the evidence 
is too powerful and common - it's almost impossible to find a family or 
business that hasn't seen it first hand.

We cannot condone something we know is so powerfully dangerous and 
destructive no matter how many people think it's OK. There are times when a 
society must choose what it knows is right, and be willing to fight the 
inevitable battles.

We are grateful for the many soldiers who continue to press forward on this 
issue, whether they are parents, teachers, coaches or police officers like 
Les Barr.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom