Pubdate: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2001, The Tribune Co. Section: Nation/World page 8, Letters Contact: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Forum: http://tampabayonline.net/interact/welcome.htm Author: Bradford J. Angers Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n293/a05.html DRUGS AND PEER PRESSURE I read with interest Joseph H. Brown's column outlining the risks of drugs (Commentary, Feb. 18). He cited The New York Times article on the drug prevention program DARE, whose acronym stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. He states our youth cite peer pressure for their experimentation with drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. Most say that it is the in thing for them. Perhaps they have hit the nail on the head. Drugs, cigarettes and alcohol are in things. Their use can surely result in being in trouble, in a sanitarium, in jail, in prison or in a coffin. Our youth should ask themselves if they really want to be part of that in crowd. Bradford J. Angers, Riverview - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager