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 - --- MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe