Pubdate: Sun, 24 Jun 2007
Source: Times and Democrat, The (SC)
Copyright: 2007, The Times and Democrat
Contact:  http://www.thetandd.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1872
Author: Kirk Muse
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Note: Newshawk title

THE LURE OF THE "FORBIDDEN FRUIT" IS VERY POWERFUL

I'm writing about the June 11 article, "Award-winning DARE officer 
puts heart in substance abuse prevention, education."

Common sense tells us that the DARE program should deter our youth 
from using illegal drugs. But it doesn't. DARE graduates are more 
likely to use illegal drugs - not less.

Common sense tells us that the Earth is the center of the universe 
and our solar system. But it's not.

Common sense tells us that prohibiting a product should substantially 
reduce the use of the product that's prohibited. Actually, 
prohibition tends to substantially increase the desire for the 
product that's prohibited.

Before marijuana was criminalized in the United States via the 
Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, the vast majority of Americans had never 
heard of marijuana. Now everybody in the country knows what marijuana 
is and the U.S. government estimates that at least 90 million 
Americans have used it. About half of all high school students will 
use marijuana before they graduate.

People want what they are told they cannot have - especially children.

The lure of the "forbidden fruit" is very powerful.

- - Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman