Pubdate: Sun, 26 Aug 2001
Source: Inquirer (PA)
Copyright: 2001 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://inq.philly.com/content/inquirer/home/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Author: Tom Maurer

WHO'S BODY IS IT ANYWAY?

Crispin Sartwell asks us to acknowledge the right of someone to tell us 
what we can ingest (Commentary, Aug. 17).  I suggest that right increases 
in proportion to how "right" the action is.

Sartwell tries to keep his 1-year-old from swallowing dishwasher 
detergent.  If he were to feed her dishwasher detergent, he would be 
punished for it, just as we punish drug dealers for feeding people 
drugs.  Just as a parent is responsible for the welfare of a family, the 
government is responsible for the welfare for its citizens.

The government makes laws that help keep its citizens from ingesting 
harmful substances.  Are the presently outlawed drugs not harmful?

I also disagree with his assertion that addiction rates won't skyrocket 
with legalization.  When you give children or adults unlimited access to 
candy, they will eat more.

Tom Maurer, Collingswood
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager