Pubdate: Tue, 14 Oct 2003
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2003 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Author: Walter Kelley

DRUG ADDICTION

I disagree with Rush Limbaugh about 99.9 percent of the time and
consider him to be the Republican Party's political gasbag. I do not
relish the fact that he has been found to be addicted to drugs. But it
ought to be clear to even the most ardent advocate for punishment for
illegal drug use that just saying no isn't quite enough to kick a drug
habit. If prison is the answer to drug addiction, then why didn't
Limbaugh check himself into a prison instead of a treatment center?

Drug addiction is drug addiction, and the addict's drug of choice
makes not an iota of difference. What makes the difference is how we
view the addict. If the addict is a Limbaugh, well, then the addiction
to prescription drugs isn't quite the same as someone else's addiction
to, say, cocaine or heroin.

After all, prescription drugs are legal, and we look at that addict in
a different light. But once one loses control over whatever drug and
becomes addicted, things in that person's life really begin to become
chaotic. Locking them up doesn't cure them. It merely keeps them from
their addiction for a time. If they happen to have enough money, they
can keep their addiction going even in prison.

So, I hope that when Limbaugh returns to the air, it will be with a
different outlook on drug addiction, because the bottom line is he's
just another drug addict with enough money and political clout to keep
himself out of jail.

Good luck, Rush.

Walter Kelley, Casselberry
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