Pubdate: Tue, 07 Sept 1999 Source: Star-Ledger (NJ) Copyright: 1999 Star-Ledger Contact: 1 Star-Ledger Plaza, Newark, N.J., 07102-1200 Website: http://www.nj.com/starledger/ Forum: http://forums.nj.com/ Author: Jean Barby BUSH SHOULDN'T PREACH To the editor: Contrary to your Aug. 23 editorial, George W. Bush does not have the right to remain silent. Cocaine is not marijuana. The ravages of drug use are clear in Newark. I've worked in Newark on assignments. Stolen cars are the least of it's problems. Drug use and sales are what contaminate the quality of life. You should know that. Remember the suburban youth who killed a Newark boy with his vehicle as he left the city after buying drugs? How many parents have seen their sons become enmeshed in selling and using drugs? How many have seen their sons incarcerated for "youthful indiscretions"? I don't want Bush to boast that he used hard drugs but didn't become an addict or a menace to society. How can a president tell young people to say no to drugs if he is known as a user? Thousands of young people have drug habits gained from youthful mistakes. No one knows this better than the Newark residents who have paid a price that Bush apparently has not. I wonder if the media would be as understanding if Jesse Jackson or Colin Powell were campaigning for president under a similar cloud. JEAN BARBY Hightstown - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto