Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jan 2003
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2003 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Tom O'Connell, M.D.

'TO YOUR HEALTH' (IN MODERATION!)

To the Editor:

The theme of "The Case for Drinking (All Together Now: In Moderation!)" 
(Dec. 31) is that with alcohol, as with any drug, dose determines result.

Because alcohol is also used compulsively by many, the article invites an 
examination of our drug policy, which insists that since any use of 
arbitrarily designated "drugs of abuse" inevitably leads to addiction, all 
use must remain illegal.

The dirty little secret is that most people who have tried illegal drugs 
didn't become addicts or even heavy users. Those who did usually solved the 
problem on their own or with a modicum of professional help. The hopeless 
junkie, like the skid row bum, represents the extreme end of a very broad 
spectrum.

Perhaps there would be fewer of each if our policies were more in tune with 
reality. It's not drugs that are so dangerous; it's how society insists 
they be used.

Dr. Tom O'Connell

San Mateo, Calif.
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