Pubdate: Mon, 18 Jul 2016
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2016 The Dallas Morning News, Inc.
Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/send-a-letter/
Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: Betty Bogart

TAKE HARD STEPS TOWARD CHANGE

Messages of peace and love are briefly comforting after tragedies 
like those our country and city have recently experienced. But 
society needs to face harsh realities, beginning with stemming drug use.

Through people I know well, I've seen marijuana become a gateway drug 
for some and a substance that can change personalities over many 
years. Legalizing recreational marijuana usage is absurd since most 
ingest it for one reason: to alter mood/ thoughts. That doesn't put 
anyone in a good mind-set to interact with law officers, ever.

A redirection of tax dollars and human energy to engage and educate 
the less fortunate inside the U.S. must happen if anything is going 
to change here.

Will corporate America turn from greed and be part of the solution, 
lowering prices and executive bonuses?

Will we make a real effort to reduce the smuggling of illegal drugs 
and curtail drug use by all classes?

Will the U.S. dedicate itself to helping Americans first? Or will we 
just forge ahead stating "peace and love conquer all" while taking no 
hard, demonstrative steps toward helpful change?

Betty Bogart, Dallas  ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom