Pubdate: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Copyright: 2014 Albuquerque Journal Contact: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10 Author: Stan Fitch DRAW LINE ON MARIJUANA USE MY BELIEF IS that the proposal to legalize recreational use of marijuana is wrong. My family has experienced, and continues to experience, severe substance abuse problems. The illegality of marijuana and other drugs has not prevented my family from obtaining these drugs and thereby compromising their health and productivity. One relative started with marijuana, but is now using heroin and cocaine. We are concerned that relative will also pursue meth. The relative has relinquished scholarships and has dropped out of college. Today, the relative is failing to pursue a meaningful life and is ruining his health. The role of the federal and state governments under the U.S. Constitution is to provide for the common defense, security, and safety of America's citizens. By legalizing such use of marijuana, the state Legislature would shirk its responsibility to protect the public safety and would be sending the message that societal integrity is unimportant. Legalizing the recreational use of marijuana would certainly save money on enforcement. However, the casualty costs to health and reduced productivity would far outweigh the costs of enforcement. Eventually, increased drug usage would compromise the country's ability to provide for its own common defense and security. Although the Constitution allows the people to pursue broad civil liberties, not all possible civil liberties are necessarily expedient. I believe that it is time to draw a line. That line might as well be in the New Mexico sand. STAN FITCH Sandia Park - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom