WAR ON DRUGS NEEDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT

We all need to support our country's renewed efforts to halt illegal drug
use, traffic, manufacturing and distribution. We must continue to
vigorously apprehend, prosecute and penalize the people involved.

However there are opportunities to do much more to educate our people at
all ages and levels on the physiological, emotional and economic impacts of
illegal drug use. We need to especially target our young people and their
parents.

The efforts should start at early ages. Once children reach their teens and
high school, it's too late. This can be done through schools, churches and
law enforcement agencies; with the help of medical professionals and the
media. There should be mandatory classes on the dreadful impacts of the
illegal use of drugs. Pictorials and graphics should be used to gain
lasting impressions.

If a portion of our mass media prowess could be brought to bear, it could
reap great benefits. The United States has the most effective and
proficient media capacity in the world!

Again, the economic impact of a successful educational program would be
enormous and would generate a very positive impact on our GNP. The United
States would not be the most desirable market for illegal drugs! Our
academic, medical, media, law enforcement and political professionals could
effectively guide a program throughout our country; remembering that most
people do not read very much!

A. W. McClelland

Greenville