Pubdate: Tue, 21 Aug 2001 Source: St. Petersburg Times (FL) Section: Page 7A, Opinion Copyright: 2001 St. Petersburg Times Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419 Author: C.D. Burns, St. Petersburg Ref: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1492/a06.html and http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1498/a08.html GREATNESS AND DRUGS DON'T GO TOGETHER Re: Look to history for a clear view, and The dismal drug war results, letters, Aug. 13. As a former drug abuse counselor for juveniles, there are two facts I'm certain of: 1. Drug use, even excluding the user, is not a victimless event. 2. Making drug use legal does not change No. 1. As a student of history, I believe it can be easily argued that the American civilization is the greatest that humanity has ever seen. Two of the many reasons for our greatness are: 1. We work hard. 2. We are educated. Drug use is antithetical to both of these. I don't know about the proponents of legalized drug use, but I like the fact that MY country is the greatest country in the world. If I wanted to live in a country that was less than the greatest, I would emigtate to somewhere else in the world, maybe where drugs are legal. The proponents of legalized drug use should consider that option. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth