Pubdate: Fri, 07 Mar 2003 Source: Airdrie Echo (CN AB) Copyright: 2003 Airdrie Echo Contact: http://www.airdrieecho.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1558 Author: Angie Burch DRUGS ARE NOT THE ANSWER Dear Editor: I cannot even imagine what this world would be like if we were just allowed to do everything we wanted. There are so many reasons why making drugs legal can not happen. Drugs are mind-altering substances. They are dangerous and deadly. Isn't it bad enough that millions of people struggle with fighting the addictions of cigarettes and alcohol? Why add more to the already painful struggles? If it was up to some people, we would be allowed to act on our every whim. This world is so far gone as it is -- there is more porno, drug addictions and mental illness than ever. Could it be because we are already allowed to have so much "freedom?" What is freedom without rules to protect? Many people would be happy if the government ever decided to make drugs legal, but what it would come down to is more people in the world with a lot of emotional pain and no health, money or friends. Then more doctors would be needed to treat drug addicts and more graves for people who overdose. We need freedom from the very things we were trying to be free to do. Can we not live life without these things? Angie Burch Airdrie - --- MAP posted-by: Beth