Pubdate: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 Source: USA Today (US) Copyright: 1999 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Contact: 1000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA 22229 Fax: (703) 247-3108 Website: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nfront.htm Author: Ken Brandis SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE To the editor: It is not only shortsighted but also foolish and stupid to attempt to find solutions to our nation's drug-abuse problem by legalizing and controlling illicit drug use. New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is not zeroing in on the root causes of drug use. Drug abusers need a good education, a decent job and treatment facilities to address and prevent future drug abuse. Legalizing heroin, cocaine and marijuana sends the wrong message to our youth: that it's OK to try such drugs. I have seen the end result of drug abuse in the emergency departments of northern New Mexico. Gov. Johnson seems to have given this problem little thought. --- KEN BRANDIS, M.D. Tucson, AZ - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto