Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jan 2004 Source: Times Union (Albany, NY) Copyright: 2004 Capital Newspapers Division of The Hearst Corporation Contact: http://www.timesunion.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/452 Author: Lori Curione Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) LEGALIZATION COULD HELP ADDRESS DRUG ADDICTIONS In response to James Zirin's Dec. 29 article, "Anti-drug policy must target demand": Man has searched for cures for all kinds of ills throughout time. Drugs have also been used in religious ceremonies, as well. As long as there are ills -- mental, physical and psychological -- we are going to demand drugs, and not just the legal kind. Until we legalize drugs, we cannot take away the stigma of addiction. Not all addicts are what the majority of society thinks they are. Many lead very productive, although very hard, lives. One of the difficulties of the latter is the secrecy needed to hide your addiction because of the stigma. This alone stops the addict from getting the help needed to quit, even though that is what he or she desires. Only through legalization can you target the population through ads. Addiction needs to be talked about. The campaign to get people to quit smoking has been working quite well, even before abolishing smoking in bars. If drugs were legalized and the stigma taken away, there would be a greater chance of success in curbing demand. Lori Curione, Watervliet