Pubdate: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 Source: Santa Fe New Mexican (NM) Copyright: 2001 The Santa Fe New Mexican Contact: 202 E Marcy, Santa Fe, N.M. 87501 Fax: (505) 986-3040 Feedback: http://www.sfnewmexican.com/letterstoeditor/submitform.las Website: http://www.sfnewmexican.com/ Author: Rick M. Anglada Vice President N.M. State Police Association Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/states/NM DON'T SEND WRONG MESSAGE TO KIDS ABOUT DRUGS For some time now, public officials and a handful of citizens have been debating drug legalization/decriminalization, medical marijuana, the compassionate-use act - whatever words they decide are politically correct or generally accepted for the furtherance of their agendas. Some have been preaching a deceptive argument, downplaying the dangers of drugs. Why does the public remain so apathetic and silent about such deception? Why is there not a much greater public outcry, especially by our community leaders? Gov. Johnson is not the first to push for legalization and he will not be the last. Several states have gone through this issue. Variations of legalization bills have deceptively been passed in some states because voters have been confused by camouflaged, clever wording such as "The Compassionate Use Act"; "Truth In Sentencing Initiatives"; and "Get Tough on Crime Propositions." Sound familiar to anyone? The "tough-on-crime stance" that got many politicians elected appears to go limp quite often. Advocates of legalization claim that we have lost the war on drugs so we should just legalize them. God help us if our military forces and police officers ever turned their backs on this country and gave up on any fight. Advocates of legalization would eliminate forces that now investigate and enforce drug violations, claiming police would then be free to investigate real crimes, such as murder and rape and robbery. Who do they think are the majority committing these types of crimes? Straight and sober law-abiding citizens in the heat of passion? Come on! Think about the latest homicides you have read about in the papers or seen on the news. What was the one thing that they had in common? Drugs and drug users. Advocates of legalization contend that illegal narcotics are not as dangerous as the media and officials have been portraying. Defenders of truth, why do you remain silent? Tell your lawmakers that drug legalization/decriminalization will not change anything, and it sends mixed messages to our children. Children are very impressionable and easily influenced. Tell lawmakers to not be fooled into believing that legalization is the answer. Do not give in to the pressures of a few outspoken people who push for legalization and decriminalization. Many will continue to use drugs whether they are legal or not. - ---