DEVELOP PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Every year, thousands flock to get their annual flu shots, thus avoiding
the costly treatment as well as avoiding the physical suffering.

Now we are considering spending huge amounts of money for treating addicted
drug and alcohol users. Doesn't the age-old saying, "Prevention is better
than cure," still make sense? I believe programs could be developed,
showing the terrible effects of drugs and alcohol, and even smoking
tobacco, on the vital organs of our bodies and taken into the classrooms
all across our nation and shown to the children from grade schools right
through high schools, graphically picturing the end results, which
ultimately is death.

By eliminating the demand for drugs, the market would diminish and the big
profits would be reduced. Yes, we would still need treatment facilities for
those already addicted, but I believe that a part of their recovery program
should be mandatory, live testimonies presented to our young people in
schools all over our nation. It even comes down to the parents' level as
well. When you "light up" in front of your little ones, aren't you saying,
"It's OK to damage your beautiful pink lungs with black tars and to spend
your hard-earned money to destroy your body"? Is it right to teach our
children that it's OK to drink and drive and point a two-ton projectile
down the street toward innocent victims? The danger therein is far greater
than firing small pellets of lead on a school campus. Think about it.

As taxpayers, shouldn't we be concerned about the health and welfare of our
children and how our tax dollars should be spent? Come on, parents, let's
get our priorities in line and start by donating that $3-a-pack money
toward preventive education.

Drugs, alcohol and tobacco take more lives annually than all the deaths by
airplane crashes all over the world.

It's safer to fly with a sober pilot than to share the space with someone
on a high from drugs or alcohol.

Jim Lyons, Twin Falls