WANT TO FIGHT REAL ADDICTION WOES? THEN TAKE A LOOK AT 'LEGAL' ONES

I couldn't agree more with Wev Shea about the basis of the moral
foundation of our nation or that drugs destroy one's ability to be
free and think independently ("Drugs attack society's moral fiber,"
May 16). But after establishing that solid foundation, he veers way
off target. Today's drug and addiction problems are legal and far
more ubiquitous and insidious.

If we want our children to have the internal resources needed to rise
above drug abuse and other escapist and addictive behaviors, they
must first be exposed to living examples of how to do that with some
integrity. This is almost impossible in our current culture, but a
good start would be to get a handle on the hundreds of "legal"
addictions rampant in our lives: Turn off the TV (and observe as you
do this how addicted you have become to it), drop the arsenal of
tranquilizers and mood altering drugs, the diet pills, the tobacco,
the constant "social drinking," and dozens of other addictions.

It is this pervasive and relentless pursuit of the "legal" drugs and
other "escapisms" that is destroying our freedom and independence. As
long as Mr. Shea and others continue to attack the relatively small
and insignificant segment of our society that abuses marijuana, the
real enemy will continue to eat away at the soul of our nation.

- -- Karl Forsyth

Anchorage