Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jul 2002 Source: Daily Advertiser, The (LA) Copyright: 2002 South Louisiana Publishing Contact: http://www.theadvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1670 Author: Stacy Leger WHY ARE ALL CIGARETTES AND MISCELLANEOUS DRUGS LEGAL? Weed, pot, cocaine, and other illegal drugs are dangerous to the body, as well as cigarettes. These drugs harm the body so why are they legal? Guns and knives are illegal at schools and other places, but teachers and staff are allowed to smoke. Smoking is as much harmful to the smokers as to the second-hand smokers. Guns can harm, so they are illegal to have at many places, yet cigars and other legal drugs are allowed in these places. I don't see the point of drugs that are harmful to the body and yet people think they relax them and make them feel better. All these drugs do is destroy their lungs, and make them have a shorter lifespan. I know that if the government would ban these drugs, there would be a lot of commotion from millions of people, but it's for their own good. If they want to smoke, why don't they just shoot themselves with a gun because it's a lot quicker and less painful than many years of smoking. That's why I believe that drugs that are legal that people use for pleasure should be banned and become illegal. Stacy Leger Northside High - --- MAP posted-by: Alex