Pubdate: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 Source: Times, The (Tigard, OR) Copyright: 2007 Pamplin Media Group Contact: http://www.tigardtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4636 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1467/a06.html Author: Todd Bradish ANSWER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSERS IS QUARANTINE Although I agree with Greg Francisco ("Stop getting tough on drugs, get smart," Valley Times, Dec. 13) that cigarettes arguably kill more Americans than all other drugs combined, his comparison of nicotine use to alcohol, heroin, methamphetamine or other such substances shows the weakness of his entire argument. Tobacco is a legal substance for adults to purchase and ingest. Tobacco does not impair one's ability to drive or think clearly, nor do nicotine addicts rob, steal, burglarize or murder to support their nicotine habit. Apparently what Mr. Francisco fails to grasp is that most of us don't care about what type of substance anyone ingests as long as it has no impact on us. The problem with substance abuse and addiction is that abusers and addicts behave in ways that put me and my property at risk. That's where I draw the line. If someone wants to drink himself or herself into oblivion, fine, just stay in your own home and off the roads so you don't harm anyone or damage property. If you choose self-destruction by sticking the needle in your arm or pipe in your mouth, I don't care. However, when you harm the innocent or steal property to support your suicidal behavior, you have become a danger to civilized society and need to be removed from it. If that consequence seems too harsh to the bleeding hearts who are seemingly in the business of manufacturing pathetic excuses for this anti-social behavior, boo-hoo. There are countless private and taxpayer-funded programs available to addicts who show a desire to clean themselves up. Many take advantage of those programs, most don't. Mr. Francisco may be correct when he claims that all drug addiction is a "medical problem." What he fails to appreciate is that the behavior of those affected by the "disease" sometimes impacts the lives of innocent people with fatal consequences. Therefore, I support quarantine. TODD BRADISH Tualatin - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom