Pubdate: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 Source: The Monitor (TX) Copyright: 2002 The Monitor Contact: http://www.themonitor.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1250 Author: Byron D. Cagle STUPID TO BACK LEGALIZATION To the editor: As I read your editorial of Aug. 9 ("Laundering and Mud: Furor over attack ads obscures point"), I was astounded, shocked and disgusted that a supposedly responsible publication would actually advocate the decriminalization (legalization) of cocaine and other illicit drugs. You advocate the legalization of illicit drugs because we are "losing" our battle against drugs. I suppose we could also say, "Well there are 25,000 murders every year and murder is a difficult thing to prevent, so let's just decriminalize murder." Of course, you will cite other countries that have experimented with legalization. These countries doctor the statistics because they are embarrassed by the devastation their shortsighted legalization has caused. Check out British Columbia, Canada, and see that 25 percent of junior high and high school kids show up at school stoned every day. Yet it appears you advocate placing a kilo of cocaine in the lunchroom of our local elementary schools, telling the kids, "We allow this here, but it's best that you don't touch." Drugs are a scourge that have already destroyed too many lives. You are being naive - nay, stupid - to support legalization. As a law enforcement officer for many years, I have seen what drugs can do firsthand. You need to rethink your stand. This country already has 50 million alcoholics. We don't need more intoxicants condoned by our society. With all of this in mind, I read your editorial, thinking in amazement, "This comes from a responsible corporate entity?" I have to wonder what your editorial board meetings are like. Are you sitting around giggling with lines of cocaine in front of each editor? Kids read the paper and report on editorials. You just made it more difficult for parents to tell their kids that drugs are dangerous and to be avoided at all costs. Byron D. Cagle, McAllen - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom