Pubdate: Wed, 09 Dec 1998
Date: 09/12/1998
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Author: Raymond F. Irvine
Note: Headline by MAP

* McCaffrey provides an excellent example in the death of Len Bias.
The resultant drop in cocaine usage illustrates that freedom of choice
is far more effective than any hysterical war on drugs. Bias may have
been foolish to take drugs in his own pursuit of happiness, but
nonetheless undertook the risk of his own free will. No one in a free
society had the right to stop him as long as he did not physically
harm another. When a prominent athlete is arrested or suspended by his
team for drug use, those who are most at risk for drug abuse will view
him as a victim or martyr.

If instead, he continues to play and becomes a washed-up loser, he
sets a negative example that demonstrates the debilitating effects of
some drugs.

This will keep more people off drugs than draconian laws or
propaganda. Raymond F. Irvine Camarillo