Pubdate: Tue, 11 Dec 2001
Source: Daily Herald (IL)
Copyright: 2001 The Daily Herald Company
Contact:  http://www.dailyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107
Author: Donald Zasadny

DRUG STORY GAVE KIDS TOO MUCH INFORMATION

I have to comment on what I thought was irresponsible reporting on the Dec. 
3 article headlined "How teens score heroin for $10 a bag." I know and 
appreciate reporters gaining all the information possible to properly 
report on an issue, but at some point a judgment call must be made.

After reading the article, I learned how much illegal drugs cost, where to 
go to find them (even what train to take to get there), what code words to 
listen for, "Rocks, blows, weed." I even learned that I can get them 24 
hours a day!

I do not think we should bury our head in the sand and hide from the issue, 
because this goes on as most everyone knows. But to print so many details 
is not a necessity. To most drug-free, law-abiding people, such knowledge 
of accessibility would not be a problem. However, for the curious person 
who may be on the fence about drug experimentation, this might give them 
the shove to just hop on the CTA Green line and do a little business.

I have never used drugs, and I have spent my entire life not even knowing 
how to get them, until now. Please be more careful in the future. We don't 
need to give the kids unnecessary information.

Donald Zasadny

Prospect Heights
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens