GET BACK TO THE BASICS

I hope those involved in the drug debate will consider some of the
fundamentals of the problem.

First, the vast majority of our society is not addicted to so-called
illegal drugs. It may be addicted to caffeine, nicotine or alcohol, but it
is not addicted to illegal drugs. Why?

Is it because they are lucky or possessed of enough self-discipline and
control or have a sense of duty and self-respect not to abuse themselves?
Is it because they are content enough not to conform to pressures or don't
feel the need to escape from reality or to experiment? Maybe they are just
reasonably adjusted to society.

Those who are addicted to illegal drugs seem to lack self-discipline,
self-respect, self-control, self-confidence or are unlucky or have little
sense of duty or responsibility to themselves or anyone else. How do we
protect these people from temptation, from exposure to drugs, from the
desire to experiment and from becoming addicted to illegal drugs?

The answer, of course, is to discourage self-indulgence, freedom without
responsibility and lack of self-respect and respect for society. We must
encourage self-discipline, the earning of privileges rather than rights,
selflessness rather than selfishness. It is a difficult task in a society
which encourages affluence and indulgence.

E. W. HAWTHORN
Kingsley