DRUG ABUSE TAKES ITS TOLL, REGARDLESS OF FAME OR INCOME

Earl Ofari Hutchinson's comments on Robert Downey's drug problem are
wise words indeed ("Downey Gets Sympathy That Isn't Shown to Other
Abusers," Dec. 18), but I wonder how much help many would really need
if society let drug users alone and didn't try to prevent them from
using or abusing, so long as they posed no threat to others.

In other words: Decriminalize the use and abuse. Most drug users (not
all), given time and left alone, will quit on their own. Others will
seek help when they are tired of being addicted.

It's our punitive-based, prohibitionist, paternalistic policies that
create the "drug problem" for society and for the user/abuser.

Gerald M. Sutliff

Emeryville