Pubdate: Fri, 22 May 2009
Source: Edmond Sun, The (OK)
Copyright: 2009 The Edmond Sun
Contact:  http://edmondsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1591
Author: Richard Prawdzienski
Note: Richard Prawdzienski is an Edmond resident, a member of the 
Libertarian Party and a former candidate for state office.

ANOTHER VIEWPOINT ON DRUGS

EDMOND - I wish I could think otherwise, but based on The Edmond Sun's
earlier segments about addiction and abuse, I predict five years down
the road we still will be talking about drug abuse. Additionally,
another thousand Edmond families will have undergone huge emotional
tolls due to the War on Drugs. State Rep. Jason Murphey's comment is:
"Unless people's hearts change there is little that the government can
do." Murphey's comment supports my prediction.

We will not see significant change with drug abuse. The reason is
because the anti-drug warriors are misdirecting us and our society is
missing the addiction bullseye. I agree when Pat Nichols of Parents
Helping Parents talks about how denial and manipulation of the fact of
addiction destroys physical, mental, spiritual and financial health.
Unfortunately, he and others in the business deny the fact the failed
War on Drugs is doing the exact same damage. Possibly some in the
business are even intentionally missing the target. Many claim the War
on Drugs is costing $40 billion. If you were in the business (of
preventing drugs) would you want to really kill your own business?
Absolutely not you nor I. But others?

Anyone can go onto the Internet and quickly read articles about how
marijuana can help some people. Thirteen states recognize medical
marijuana; others are considering doing so.

What does Oklahoma do? Our State Statute Title 63 says marijuana has
no accepted medical use in the United States or lacks accepted safety
for use in treatment under medical supervision. Is our government
lying? Why is society denying the truth? Why does our government
support the lie?

Drugs give people relief. Dr. Ardoin, of the Oklahoma Department of Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Services, said addiction is triggered in
vulnerable individuals by stressors in the environment. Whoa! Stressors in
the environment! Those stressors are everywhere, and they are gargantuan;
society doesn't want to tackle those root problems. Example: One of the
biggest stressors for many children is mandatory education; proof is that
half of the students turn to drugs.

Murphey said the church needs to step in. Unfortunately many ministers
tell us if we don't believe and behave accordingly we will burn in
hell - talk about a stressor. Do we have to wonder why so many people
turn to drugs? People have been using drugs since 5000 B.C.

Instead of the stresses of school, work, church, family or behemoths
and dinosaurs back in B.C., maybe there is another reason? Maybe a
natural factor?

Humans seek pleasure.

Maybe we should spend less time telling one another what pleasure
products we don't approve of. Maybe we should be talking more about
better pleasure products.

Instead of sending children to school to learn algebra and calculus
and preaching we need to get a degree so we can make lots and lots of
money (and then complain about paying lots of taxes), maybe we should
spend more time to teach our children to find pleasure and happiness.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
rights, that among those are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake