Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 Source: Johnson City Press (TN) Copyright: 2003 Johnson City Press and Associated Press Contact: http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983 Author: Michael Vanhaverbeke Referenced: Mett Ausley's PUB LTE http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n859/a01.html 'SILLY' LETTER HAD MERIT EDITOR: Thank you, Steve Lusk, for your letter; maybe it was facetious, but it was not without merit. It has drawn some negative criticism. There are some who think it "silly" and are unable to see a precedent to a liberal policy toward dangerous drugs. Some cannot see a connection to any victim. One letter writer compared the legalization of marijuana to post prohibition, saying our standards haven't changed. Alcohol is another seemingly innocuous substance that is one of the most expensive both personally and to society. Does anyone doubt there are victims? Everyone becomes a victim. Why do they think they call it being "under the influence?" Tell it to the children burying a parent lost to alcohol's physical devastation, or the highway patrolman who must tell the parents their child was killed by a drunk driver. Tell it to the little woman trying to hold together family and finances whose husband spends his wages on booze, has wrecked the car again, and she is all too accustomed to his abusive, drunken stupor. Tell it to the taxpayer supporting the drunk tank and the homeless shelter; and proclaim it in the hospital wards, to insurance underwriters, employment and safety officials. MICHAEL VANHAVERBEKE Erwin - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake