This is a letter in support of Larry Evans' column ["Replace tobacco with pot," March 30]. I agree with his opinion--the government needs to become more enlightened in their thinking regarding the issue of marijuana's use for medicinal purposes. Not only could the government make money from this venture but farmers could sustain their families and farms with some of the profit. Currently, pharmaceutical companies pocket all the profit. Why does the government insist on denying severely ill people access to an herb that can alleviate their pain and suffering? The "War on Drugs" has blocked compassion and empathy for humankind. This issue belongs in patient-physician discussions. Ellen Herndon Atkins, Mineral [end]
Chief of Police Dorsch says he took great exception to the viewpoint of James Bovard's article "DARE's Dying Gasp." He says he gets a lump in his throat when he attends the DARE graduation ceremonies and hears the students read their essays and talk about how much they've learned from the DARE experience. Well, I would like for Mr. Dorsch to follow up with those same students about five years later. According to my conversations with some of those students and the information I've read, you'll find that some students feel they've been given misinformation and they've developed a distrust of the same policemen that taught the class. Drug education needs to be taught in the home or in churches, not our public schools. Use that time for reading, writing and arithmetic. Ellen Herndon Atkins Mineral, VA [end]
He says he gets a lump in his throat when he attends the DARE graduation ceremonies and hears the students read their essays and talk about how much they've learned from the DARE experience. Well, I would like for Mr. Dorsch to follow up with those same students about five years later. According to my conversations with some of those students and the information I've read, you'll find that some students feel they've been given misinformation and they've developed a distrust of the same policemen that taught the class. [continues 63 words]
I am outraged that President Clinton has committed U.S. tax dollars and military forces to the futile effort of abolishing the cocaine trade in Colombia. When has force ever hurt the illegal drug trade? Has it ever occurred to U.S. leaders that the $1.3 billion aid package being used to support Plan Columbia could be used to support services that are desperately needed in our own country? The huge U.S. aid package is a grave mistake that only will escalate violence in and around Colombia. How much death and destruction have to occur before the American people stand up against this debacle and say, "Enough is enough"? Ellen Herndon Atkins Mineral [end]
Has it ever occurred to U.S. leaders that the $1.3 billion aid package being used to support Plan Columbia could be used to support services that are desperately needed in our own country? The huge U.S. aid package is a grave mistake that only will escalate violence in and around Colombia. How much death and destruction have to occur before the American people stand up against this debacle and say, "Enough is enough"? Ellen Herndon Atkins, Mineral [end]
I found Larry Evans' May 15 column ["Drug use casts long shadow"] to be very interesting. He stated that recreational users of cocaine and heroin are helping to perpetuate an illicit trade that causes a world of hurt. I completely agree with his opinion, but I must comment on his omission of marijuana - I'm glad he did. I am neither a user nor an advocate of drugs. However, I do advocate the legalizing of marijuana for medicinal purposes - as well as recreational use - and would very much like to see farmers grow hemp in this state because I feel that's a cash crop that could replace tobacco. [continues 95 words]
I am neither a user nor an advocate of drugs. However, I do advocate the legalizing of marijuana for medicinal purposes - as well as recreational use - and would very much like to see farmers grow hemp in this state because I feel that's a cash crop that could replace tobacco. I won't go into all the rhetoric that supports my decision on the legalization of marijuana, but I was glad to see the column didn't include marijuana with the "hard" drugs. In my life alcohol has been a much more deadly substance than marijuana. I would much rather have my 22-year-old son take a few puffs on a joint than drink beer or liquor, but - until our government ends this insane "War on Drugs" - my son would be committing an illegal act. Ellen Herndon Atkins, Mineral [end]
I agree with Arianna Huffington when she says the plan to spend $1.7 billion on so-called drug-war aid to Colombia is "nuts" ("Latest priority in drug war," Commentary, March 15). Why isn't the U.S. government making more of an effort to aid the millions of addicts who aren't receiving treatment? The aid package won't make drugs disappear from the United States, or Colombia for that matter. I'm an American taxpayer who will receive no benefit from this bill. It appears that this is an attractive plan to a few corporate profiteers and government officials in both countries. [continues 65 words]
The aid package won't make drugs disappear from the United States, or Colombia for that matter. I'm an American taxpayer who will receive no benefit from this bill. It appears that this is an attractive plan to a few corporate profiteers and government officials in both countries. I think it is disgusting that the Clinton administration chooses to bundle this aid as part of a larger emergency-spending package that includes military health care and relief from natural disasters such as Hurricane Floyd. This isn't about drug-war aid or caring about people, it's about already rich people getting richer. ELLEN HERNDON ATKINS, Mineral, Va. [end]
