Pubdate: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 Source: Daily Democrat (Woodland, CA) Copyright: 2010 Larry Schapiro Contact: http://www.dailydemocrat.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3030 Author: Larry Schapiro MIXED MESSAGES ON DRUG USE On the fence of Whitehead Elementary School is a sign: "United we stand for a drug free land. Celebrate red ribbon week." If the proposition on the ballot in November to legalize marijuana is passed, what will be the new message we will be sending our children? The message is of course that we are not really serious about our children remaining drug free. If legalizing drugs passes, what will Whitehead teachers be able to say next year? At best, "Stay off drugs only until you are 18." Even for students who do not know the word hypocrite, with marijuana legalized, we will never be able to teach refraining from drug use without our children laughing at us. LARRY SCHAPIRO, Woodland - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D