Pubdate: Mon, 09 Apr 2001 Source: Times-News, The (ID) Copyright: 2001 Magic Valley Newspapers Contact: http://www.magicvalley.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/595 Author: Jim Lyons Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) DEVELOP PREVENTION PROGRAMS Every year, thousands flock to get their annual flu shots, thus avoiding the costly treatment as well as avoiding the physical suffering. Now we are considering spending huge amounts of money for treating addicted drug and alcohol users. Doesn't the age-old saying, "Prevention is better than cure," still make sense? I believe programs could be developed, showing the terrible effects of drugs and alcohol, and even smoking tobacco, on the vital organs of our bodies and taken into the classrooms all across our nation and shown to the children from grade schools right through high schools, graphically picturing the end results, which ultimately is death. By eliminating the demand for drugs, the market would diminish and the big profits would be reduced. Yes, we would still need treatment facilities for those already addicted, but I believe that a part of their recovery program should be mandatory, live testimonies presented to our young people in schools all over our nation. It even comes down to the parents' level as well. When you "light up" in front of your little ones, aren't you saying, "It's OK to damage your beautiful pink lungs with black tars and to spend your hard-earned money to destroy your body"? Is it right to teach our children that it's OK to drink and drive and point a two-ton projectile down the street toward innocent victims? The danger therein is far greater than firing small pellets of lead on a school campus. Think about it. As taxpayers, shouldn't we be concerned about the health and welfare of our children and how our tax dollars should be spent? Come on, parents, let's get our priorities in line and start by donating that $3-a-pack money toward preventive education. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco take more lives annually than all the deaths by airplane crashes all over the world. It's safer to fly with a sober pilot than to share the space with someone on a high from drugs or alcohol. Jim Lyons, Twin Falls - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager