Pubdate: Mon, 05 Dec 2011
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2011 Star Advertiser
Contact: 
http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html
Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n680/a11.html
Author: John Hansen

ILLEGAL DRUGS CAUSE IRREPARABLE HARM

It is disheartening to keep reading the old libertarian rationale for 
legalizing drugs ("Drug war a failure, world leaders agree," 
Star-Advertiser, Letters, Dec. 1). Legalization proponents do not 
care about the millions of families destroyed by drug use. Street 
drugs lead to psychosis, often reducing users to total dependency.

It's been estimated that about 25 percent of drug users lose interest 
in accomplishment and cannot hold jobs or don't want to and some turn 
to crime. Many stop supporting their children. The brains of people 
21 and under are still in crucial stages of development. The use of 
drugs or alcohol by young people can result in a lifetime of mental illness.

We should all be strong opponents of illicit drug use because every 
dollar spent keeps suppliers invested in the lifestyle and doomed to 
poor education, less empowerment and little chance of improvement for 
them and their children.

John Hansen

Honolulu
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom