Pubdate: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX) Copyright: 2002 The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Contact: http://www.lubbockonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/841 Author: Quintella Davenport KEEP THE WAR ON DRUGS Re: The letter "Decriminalization Of Drugs" (A-J, 9-4). Maybe the writer has not heard of all the problems with drinking and driving - all the millions of dollars that have been lost because of the "repeat offenders"' inabilities to control their habits. Also, all the lives lost or crippled because of drunken behavior; and, the child abuse connected with drugs and alcohol. Bipolar disease in children is directly connected to alcoholism. Does the writer have statistics on the statement, "Prohibition on alcohol created more criminals than legalized alcohol?" So, let's legalize drugs so we can have more drug-impaired drivers on the road; and more babies born with multiple defects connected with drugs; increased crime to support the drug habits. There are no values to legalizing drugs! As for Europe, I heard on radio a few years ago that Germany was having a real battle with alcoholism in the work place. Sorry, I don't want drug- and/or alcohol-impaired individuals giving my medication, working on or manufacturing my vehicle or an airplane I may want to travel on, etc. There are those who have developed the idea that legalizing something makes it OK and solves the problem. History proves this thinking is incorrect. QUINTELLA DAVENPORT Slaton Via e-mail - --- MAP posted-by: Beth