Pubdate: Sun, 05 Aug 2001 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2001, The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446 Author: Sheila Carter, Lutz Ref: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1342/a10.html LEGALIZATION WON'T SOLVE IT I would like to respond to Paul Miller's statement (Letters, July 25) that he sees the drug war as the "biggest single threat" to his 3- year-old, and that we should "actually relegalize the use of these substances." My greatest fear for my children's safety is a drunken driver, and alcohol is a "legal drug." What about that other legal drug - tobacco? I cannot imagine adding even one more drug to the horrifying daily statistics that are grimly reported in the news. Commendably, the Tribune has recently tried to highlight the necessity of wearing seat belts as an example of our taking personal responsibility for our own protection. Alcohol-related crashes are already epidemic in this country. The biggest problem with alcohol - and any other mind-altering drug - is that you are leaving the decision not to drive because of having too much to drink up to an impaired, inebriated person who has had too much to drink! Need I mention that we do have enforceable age-restriction laws on the sale and purchase of both alcohol and tobacco? Many underage teens smoke and, unfortunately, some teens are involved in the heartbreaking alcohol-related deaths and injuries that we read about all too often. These are preventable tragedies. We need not have so many young lives ruined, parents consumed with sorrow and communities that cry with them. Please, no more legal drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom