Pubdate: Wed, 9 Dec 1998 Source: Houston Chronicle (TX) Contact: http://www.chron.com/ Copyright: 1998 Houston Chronicle Author: Stuart Kocher , Houston TURNING GOOD KIDS TO BAD? In the Dec. 7 article "Inmates go to school to warn students about drinking, drugs," Cathy Gordon points out how alcohol and other drugs had a negative impact on the lives of these young prisoners. But the most obvious fact not testified to by any of the inmates or Gordon: These kids had problems before they got involved in alcohol and other drugs. The article seems to say, "We were all good kids until we used alcohol and other drugs. Now look what these substances have done to us." It is impossible for an inanimate object to "make" us do anything. I am utterly disgusted with the media, police, prosecutors, judges, defense lawyers and social workers who foster a "drugs-made-me-do-it" excuse in an attempt to drive up the drug crime statistics. Why not tell the truth: "I was living a life destined for crime and found myself using alcohol and other drugs in the course of my social decline." This worn-out excuse for personal choice only clouds the issue of individual guilt by allowing drug mythology to overshadow their own responsibility. What message would these model prisoners communicate if they stood before the youngsters and said, "I broke the law a lot and I finally got caught. I was greedy, too lazy to get a job and I have no self control"? That would show what the real problem with our society is today: the demise of personal responsibility and accountability. Stuart Kocher , Houston - --- Checked-by: Rich O'Grady