Pubdate: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 Source: Valley Morning Star (TX) Copyright: 2005 Valley Morning Star Contact: http://www.valleystar.com/letters.php Website: http://www.valleystar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/584 Author: Stephen Heath BETTER WORK BY MEDIA WOULD PUSH OUT FEDS Editor: Regarding "Feds cross the line with fake news" (Jan 11), your editorial comments were right on target, sensibly concluding, "The feds should stay out of the news business and the media should be more careful about their sources." If the media does their part, the feds will automatically be reined in themselves. The primary reason ineffectual policies remain status quo is because of, in large part, what could be called lazy journalism. Journalists from all forms of media must exhibit more enterprise and reach out for more diverse opinions to be compared to those spouted by this or that government spokesperson. In few areas is this more important than on the topic of drugs and drug policy. For the past 35-plus years, the U.S. government and many state drug policies have been founded on the failed model of criminal Prohibition laws. Now, in 2005, there are a wide range of smarter and more effective policies being proposed and also implemented around the country that remove drug policy matters from the control of police and place it in the hands of health care and social workers. Americans everywhere are rightly concerned with the effects of drugs and drug use in our country and many turn to the government and/or the media for informed and accurate information. Having confidence in the media to present a wider range and more balanced report helps all of us. STEPHEN HEATH Clearwater, Fla. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFLorida)