Pubdate: Sat, 14 Feb 2009
Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL)
Copyright: 2009sPeoria Journal Star
Contact:  http://pjstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338
Author: Lee R. Lacey
Note: Letters from newspaper's circulation area receive publishing priority

PHELPS CAN STILL BE AN EXAMPLE

Recently we have been reading much about Michael Phelps and his
marijuana incident. Everything I have read is negative. While I do not
condone what he did, this incident may not have been as negative as
people think.

While this is a blemish on Phelps personally, it does not alter the
fact that he won eight gold medals and is a swimming legend.
Inadvertently he may have done more for drug prevention than all the
articles and programs that have been tried previously. Phelps is
almost bigger than life. Young people follow his every move.

The recent happenings show that smoking pot is wrong, that there are
penalties and other serious consequences to pay, and that no matter
who you are, no matter how famous, you can be caught. With a little
effort, Phelps has the opportunity to turn this negative event into
something very positive for drug prevention.

Lee R. Lacey

Manito
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin