DRUGS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS

Regarding the March 15 news story "In Senate Debate on Drugs, 'Traffic'
Moves Minds":

Since the cocaine-related death of our son 15 years ago, I have been
involved in drug prevention and have met hundreds of addicts and recovering
addicts. They were unanimous in telling me that their first drugs came not
from a drug dealer but from a family member or a friend.

Exacerbating this problem are those who use and promote drug use as a
personal right. Regardless of how they couch their rhetoric, these "drug
policy experts" want to be allowed to use whatever drugs they want,
whenever they want, disregarding the cost that drug use imposes on the rest
of society.

Of course, treatment is needed for drug addiction. But to make prevention
work, users must face meaningful social consequences. In 1998 nearly 16,000
children died as a result of drug use. Many obtained drugs on school
property. Many educators have been arrested and prosecuted for selling or
providing drugs to students. Where are the media headlines and public
outcry about that?

Numerous states have enacted a law known as the Drug Dealer's Liability
Act. This law gives the family of someone who has been damaged by drugs
legal recourse against known drug dealers in their area. Perhaps that
should be expanded to include recourse against anyone who openly promotes
drug use as well.

When those who entice others, either directly or indirectly, to become
involved with illicit drugs are held liable for the consequences, then we
will begin to see a dramatic recession of our nation's drug problems.

Sandra S. Bennett, Director, Northwest Center for Health and
Safety,LaCenter, Wash.