Pubdate: Sun, 20 Mar 2016
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2016 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463
Author: R. Darrell Weaver

'JUST SAY NO'

I was commissioned as an agent with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics 
in 1987 and spent more than 28 years fighting the drug issues that 
plague our state. My employment was a result of the "Just Say No" 
anti-drug initiative, which was created and championed by then first 
lady Nancy Reagan.

I have often wondered what the world would be like now if addicts had 
heeded her warning. That first needle of meth seemed so harmless. It 
seemed innocent the first time the crack cocaine addict took a hit 
off the crack pipe. The heroin looked good at the moment, to flee the 
world's problems and get high. Let's smoke just one joint; it's just 
marijuana. No one can fathom the destruction headed their way.

The collateral damage of drug addiction is overwhelming. 
Incarceration, broken families, child abuse, shattered promises, 
violence, loss of human capital and death, all heart-breaking 
results. Drug addiction steals, kills and destroys society and erodes its core.

After the fact, we depend on under-funded substance abuse 
professionals to assist in the salvage and restoration of the addict. 
Prevention is the key to win this battle over addiction. Scream it 
from the mountaintop to your children, grandchildren, nieces and 
nephews. Flee from the temptation.

What would our nation look like today if we would have heeded our 
first lady's plea, and just said no? She was right. We should have 
said no. Rest in peace Nancy Reagan.

R. Darrell Weaver, Moore

Editor's note: Weaver is CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma 
and retired director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom