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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth