DRUG WAR VICTIMS

The Dec. 3 article "No roadblock for liberty" cites the two most important
questions in our so-called drug wars: Where do we draw the line on
infringement of our constitutionally-guaranteed personal liberties; and
what were the intentions of our Founding Fathers when they drafted the laws
of our land?

A look at paragraph two of our Declaration of Independence clearly answers
both questions: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness."

Our "drug wars" have created a situation whereby your liberty is taken,
often for life, because of your choice of pursuit of happiness. The line of
infringement into our personal liberties was crossed a long time ago.

Valeri Kennedy, West Sacramento

THE HEMP SOLUTION

Re "Greenhouse solution," letter, Nov. 27: The person who recommended
breathing less to help restore the ozone layer sounds helpless about man
ever changing to a less selfish lifestyle. Our cars and practically all of
our motors run on fuel that pollutes our planet. Our paper and our building
materials come from trees.

Hemp is a viable alternative. Hemp fuel is cheaper than petroleum fuel,
does not pollute and cannot be monopolized. While the Supreme Court wonders
about the medical value of marijuana, there is no wonder about hemp's
industrial value. Unfortunately, a war of ignorance is being waged against it.

Hemp is hope, not dope.

Janice Bonser, Carmichael

REHAB

Re "Actor's drug relapse no surprise to experts," Nov. 29: Robert Downey
Jr.'s relapse may be no surprise to the "experts" of drug rehab, but he
didn't relapse because of genetics. He went back to drugs only because he
was treated with failed and unworkable psychiatric rehab technology.

Yet, rather than fix the programs, the people in charge of them justify
their failures by labeling the condition as a genetic brain disease, and by
claiming that addicts can never be cured. What other industry could explain
away its failures by blaming the customer?

Greg Patton, Carmichael

VIOLATION OF TRUST

Re "Deputy enters plea in steroids case," Nov. 30: While these deputies
should be allowed to complete a substance-abuse program, they should no
longer work as deputies.

What these men did was illegal. To allow them back into service would send
the message out that it's OK for some to use controlled substances and
syringes, but others will be punished.

It's bad enough that sworn officers would break the law with the illegal
use of steroids, but the use of hypodermic syringes constitutes a health
risk to the officers, their families and officers and people they may come
in contact with.

John R. Marshall, Citrus Heights