Pubdate: Tue, 22 May 2001
Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK)
Copyright: 2001 The Anchorage Daily News
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18
Author: Karl Forsyth
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n878/a07.html

WANT TO FIGHT REAL ADDICTION WOES? THEN TAKE A LOOK AT 'LEGAL' ONES

I couldn't agree more with Wev Shea about the basis of the moral 
foundation of our nation or that drugs destroy one's ability to be 
free and think independently ("Drugs attack society's moral fiber," 
May 16). But after establishing that solid foundation, he veers way 
off target. Today's drug and addiction problems are legal and far 
more ubiquitous and insidious.

If we want our children to have the internal resources needed to rise 
above drug abuse and other escapist and addictive behaviors, they 
must first be exposed to living examples of how to do that with some 
integrity. This is almost impossible in our current culture, but a 
good start would be to get a handle on the hundreds of "legal" 
addictions rampant in our lives: Turn off the TV (and observe as you 
do this how addicted you have become to it), drop the arsenal of 
tranquilizers and mood altering drugs, the diet pills, the tobacco, 
the constant "social drinking," and dozens of other addictions.

It is this pervasive and relentless pursuit of the "legal" drugs and 
other "escapisms" that is destroying our freedom and independence. As 
long as Mr. Shea and others continue to attack the relatively small 
and insignificant segment of our society that abuses marijuana, the 
real enemy will continue to eat away at the soul of our nation.

- -- Karl Forsyth

Anchorage
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe