Pubdate: Wed, 20 Feb 2002
Source: Christian Science Monitor (US)
Copyright: 2002 The Christian Science Publishing Society
Contact:  http://www.csmonitor.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/83
Authors: Dave Michon, Darrell J. Sekin, Helen Harberts, Nathan Engle

NEW DRUG POLICY MAY BE MORE OF THE SAME

Regarding "Drug war's marching orders" (Feb. 14, Editorial): George W. Bush 
says he'll stop 25 percent of America's drug use in five years? Lest we 
forget, we were promised a "drug-free America by 2002" at a Capitol Hill 
press conference in 1998. In fact, we've been promised the chimera of a 
"drug-free America" quite a number of times. Mr. Bush's policy hardly 
represents a change in course. His drug budget is the "same old, same old" 
and the results will be, too.

Dave Michon Eau Claire, Wis.

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The tactic of the present drug laws is to ignore the root cause of drug use 
in favor of trying to remove the effects through criminalization. This has 
failed miserably. What's needed is a concentrated effort to address the 
"reasons" people use drugs. Criminalization of drug use only magnifies the 
guilty feeling and lack of self-esteem already existing. We need to repeal 
the drug war laws in favor of education and decriminalization and teach our 
children self-esteem so they can become active members of their communities 
and interface successfully with their peers. We need to concentrate on the 
cause, not the effects.

Darrell J. Sekin Irving, Texas

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Our nation has to quit its campaign of "drugs don't feel good" nonsense. We 
must use science to target education and intervention to meet the needs of 
young people. Showing them that drugs are morally wrong and that they ruin 
the environment and destroy communities is probably more effective than 
trying to send them the message that drugs don't feel good. And we must 
also stop sending the message that cigarettes and alcohol are different issues.

Helen Harberts Chico, Calif.

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Regarding "In drug treatment vs. prison, a political shift in tone" (Feb. 
14): It's important for us to realize that we shouldn't choke our prisons 
with people who should be in rehabilitation. Those who know people with a 
drug problem need to feel assurance that if they report their friend it 
will mean that friend will receive the help he or she needs. We can't 
expect friends and family of drug users to cooperate while we threaten 
their loved ones with brutal confinement, where their addiction will be 
ignored and untreated.

Nathan Engle Bloomington, Ind.
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