Pubdate: Wed, 22 Oct 2003
Source: Mitchell News-Journal (NC)
Copyright: 2003 Mitchell News-Journal
Contact:  http://www.mitchellnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1777
Author: Scott Russ
Note: Title by Newshawk

ANTI-DRUG FUNDING WASTED

Dear Editor,

Keith Buckner's observations concerning the problems that alcohol causes 
our society are indeed valid. I would argue that we haven't yet begun to 
take some of the steps necessary in "deglamourizing" alcohol use and 
reducing possible harms as has been done with cigarettes (only after 
billion dollar settlements forced them to). Our federal government spends 
millions of taxpayer dollars on anti-drug ad campaigns that are actually 
anti-marijuana campaigns. Children see these commercials and the next thing 
that comes on is a beer commercial. Now why haven't we started to remove 
this type of advertising from television and radio? Of course the reason is 
money! The negative effects of alcohol on our society could surely be 
reduced by using what we already know works and getting the alcohol 
lobbyist out of Washington. Criminalizing adults for using other substances 
is not the answer to our problems. It has in fact created more crime, 
corruption, death and disease than we would have in a legally regulated 
environment. And no, there wouldn't be any commercials advertising cocaine 
in a legal environment. Nobody, even "Legalizers", advocate drug use. They 
advocate the right for an adult to choose what they put in their body 
without fear of incarceration. Our current system is the one which allows 
any man, woman or child to obtain these substances without any control or 
regulation. But have you ever wondered why our government hasn't bombarded 
television with anti-drug ads on heroin or cocaine as they have with 
cannabis? I think our "leaders" need to find the courage to end the 
hypocrisy in our laws and let's start using logic and science to guide the 
law making process. Not lobbyists and propaganda.

Scott Russ

Baton Rouge, LA
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman