ROBERT DOWNEY JR.

Re "Set Downey Free to Solve His Problems," Commentary, April 26:
Robert Downey Jr. has been set free more times now than people can
keep track of. He solves nothing. He continues because he
knows--because of his particular occupation--he will be given
preferential treatment. Make this guy pay the same consequences as any
other repeat drug offender.

It is only Downey's problem, until this maniac kills someone in some
car accident. Where's the responsibility. Where's the accountability.
With this logic, why not dismiss every single other drug-related
conviction. I'm certain everyone will have some traumatic parental
incident to use as an excuse.

And he does infringe on the rights of others--the rights of other
people to live and raise their children in a neighborhood free of the
influences and elements associated with drug use.

Mario Duran

Covina

What is Peikoff trying to tell us. That "rehab programs don't work".
Wrong. Treatment has helped countless addicts and alcoholics rejoin
society. That 12-step programs are "religious" and are based on an
unsurmountable intellectual paradox. Wrong. The 12 steps are a
practical spiritual program based on such radical principles as
humility, honesty, hope, reparation and hard work. That addiction is
not a disease. Maybe not to such medical notables as Peikoff, but it
is according to the American Medical Assn. and the majority of health
care workers.

I agree with Peikoff that no adult should be forced to attend rehab by
the courts. The option of jail is always available to chronic drug
offenders who wish to avoid violations of their "individual rights."
What I found most offensive about the commentary was Peikoff's refusal
to acknowledge the devastating and deadly reality that is addiction.

Gage Freeman

Echo Park