Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 Source: Arizona Republic (AZ) Copyright: 1999, The Arizona Republic. Website: http://www.azcentral.com/news/ Forum: http://www.azcentral.com/pni-bin/WebX?azc Contact: Paula A. Pennypacker IT'S A HEALTH ISSUE * As a Republican and a new resident of Arizona, I do not know anything about Senator McCain's wife's alleged drug problem nor do I care to know. That said - I am compelled to respond to Friday's Benson's View and other Republic reporters' comments about her drug use. John McCain should capitalize on the media's insensitivity toward his wife and put a stop to this madness. Our current federal drug policy breeds nothing but contempt for those that were and are addicted. We need to be more responsible and treat drug addition as the health issue that it is and not a criminal issue. McCain should lead the way to a more humanitarian approach to drug policy and stop the persecution of those who have or have had an addiction. Now that's someone I could vote for for president. Paula A. Pennypacker, Sedona - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck