Pubdate: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 Source: Beacon Journal, The (OH) Copyright: 2002 The Beacon Journal Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/6 Author: Tom Wright REALISTIC APPROACH TO ILLEGAL DRUG USE Regarding Jim White's March 28 letter headlined "Stop treating drug use as a crime": No one argues the fact that drug addicts need treatment, but they wouldn't become addicts if they never used drugs in the first place. White seems unrealistic regarding a couple of points. First, a large number of drug users do become addicts. Second, in Ohio, pot is illegal. I constantly hear the liberal point of view that "a little pot for personal use never hurt anyone." With a teen-age son, I must have a zero tolerance for all street drugs. The reason so many of my son's friends' parents are liberal regarding pot is because they are using it, too. And the kids know this. I'm sure a percentage of law-enforcement officials use pot, too, but they should all be busted. The law is the law. Tom Wright Akron - --- MAP posted-by: Beth