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