Pubdate: Wed, 01 May 2002
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2002 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Sam Shaffer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ATHLETES ARE STRONG, DRUGS ARE STRONGER

I hope young people are paying attention to the Darryl Strawberry
case. People like Darryl Strawberry (or Robert Downey Jr., etc.) have
more willpower, discipline and determination than most of us can even
imagine in order to get to the tops of their fields. And yet, once the
drugs take hold, all of that willpower, discipline and determination
mean nothing.

I'm sure there are some young people out there today thinking about
trying drugs, and they're saying to themselves, "If I start to get
hooked, I can always stop." Well, look at Darryl and think again. Then
instead of lighting up that crack pipe, maybe just say a little prayer
for Darryl, and while you're at it, thank God that it's not you.

Sam Shaffer, Mission Viejo
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