Pubdate: Wed, 08 Nov 2000
Date: 11/08/2000
Source: San Antonio Express-News (TX)
Author: Gregg Davis

Yes, students should know the risks of experimenting with drugs. But
it's a twisted logic that concludes we ought to place impediments on
the road to educating young people even minimally involved with drugs.

Universities have focused on binge drinking for good reason. Alcohol
severely impairs a person's judgement and ability to function. It's
the No. 1 drug of choice.

Marijuana use is historically cyclical and will probably go down again
even without the heavy hand of the U.S. government. Besides, it's
effects are much less problematic to one's judgement and self-control.
A person can't smoke enough to overdose. That said, students would be
better off not to smoke it.

Al gore has admitted smoking marijuana in his younger days. George W.
Bush won't deny youthful drug use and has admitted abusing alcohol.
Both were able to grow out of drug use without having their education
delayed or cut off. Of course, neither of them ever needed financial
aid.

An educated citizen is not worth losing over the misguided war on
drugs.

Gregg Davis