Pubdate: Tue, 21 Apr 2009
Source: Colorado Daily (Boulder, CO)
Copyright: 2009 New Colorado Daily, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.coloradodaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1557
Author: Karen Hadley

JUST SAY NO

Whatever happened to "Just Say No to Drugs"?

In every newspaper of significance, across the Internet and on the 
airwaves, arguments rage back and forth about the legalization of 
illicit drugs.

Just months ago, the only drug under legalization scrutiny was 
marijuana. Now, legalization advocates have extended the argument to 
include cocaine and heroin, drugs that are much more often the target 
of rehabilitation stays.

Arguments in favor of legalization offer such humanitarian benefits 
as "less drug-related violence," "less illness," "use would still be 
a public nuisance that could be fined," "drugs would be purer, less 
contaminated and under controlled distribution."

The legalization movement is an utter reversal of Nancy Reagan's 
message of the 1980s, "Just say no to drugs." At that time, Americans 
were not willing to throw up their hands and admit defeat.

The argument to legalize these drugs is a blatant admission that 
those who are supposed to treat the addicted or reduce demand have no 
successful way of doing so.

I work at Narconon Arrowhead, a large drug and alcohol rehabilitation 
and education center in Oklahoma and I do so to give people a chance 
to live drug and alcohol-free. I am not willing to throw up my hands 
and admit defeat.

What mother in America thinks that legalizing heroin, cocaine or 
marijuana is a path to success? I didn't have this attitude with my 
son when I discovered that he was smoking pot and drinking at the age 
of 12.It took a little time and some hard work, but I made sure that 
he learned why to be drug-free. He has been free from any such 
problems for ten years.

Today, I decided to find out for myself whether or not legalizing 
heroin had any merit. I sought out a Narconon graduate who had been a 
heroin addict for decades but who is now completely drug and alcohol 
free. I asked him what effect heroin, just the drug itself, had 
created on him and his life.

He told me, "If you take away the effect of the illegal acts that 
made me homeless and put me in jail, the drug itself robbed me of my 
life. I was anesthetized. I could not feel happiness. I couldn't see 
that my family was suffering along with me. I didn't see my family 
for more than a decade and I have just now reunited with my daughter 
after eleven years. I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I have 
gone through."

Since I've been at Narconon, I have seen people recover from a 
degraded and debased condition and be restored to vigor, health and 
enjoyment of life. I see it happen every day.

If it's possible to give those who have been addicted to heroin, 
cocaine, OxyContin, marijuana, methamphetamine or alcohol enjoyable, 
drug-free lives again, why should we admit defeat?

When recovery is possible, it is not necessary to knuckle under to 
spurious claims that legalization is the only solution.

If anyone wants to find out for themselves how Narconon brings about 
this recovery, they can call us at 1-800-468-6933 or visit our Web 
site at www.stopaddiction.com.

Myself, I will continue to champion a drug-free future for all Americans.

Karen Hadley

Narconon Arrowhead
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