DON'T SEND WRONG MESSAGE TO KIDS ABOUT DRUGS

For some time now, public officials and a handful of citizens have
been debating drug legalization/decriminalization, medical marijuana,
the compassionate-use act - whatever words they decide are politically
correct or generally accepted for the furtherance of their agendas.
Some have been preaching a deceptive argument, downplaying the dangers
of drugs.

Why does the public remain so apathetic and silent about such
deception? Why is there not a much greater public outcry, especially
by our community leaders?

Gov. Johnson is not the first to push for legalization and he will not
be the last. Several states have gone through this issue. Variations
of legalization bills have deceptively been passed in some states
because voters have been confused by camouflaged, clever wording such
as "The Compassionate Use Act"; "Truth In Sentencing Initiatives"; and
"Get Tough on Crime Propositions." Sound familiar to anyone? The
"tough-on-crime stance" that got many politicians elected appears to
go limp quite often.

Advocates of legalization claim that we have lost the war on drugs so
we should just legalize them. God help us if our military forces and
police officers ever turned their backs on this country and gave up on
any fight.

Advocates of legalization would eliminate forces that now investigate
and enforce drug violations, claiming police would then be free to
investigate real crimes, such as murder and rape and robbery. Who do
they think are the majority committing these types of crimes? Straight
and sober law-abiding citizens in the heat of passion?

Come on! Think about the latest homicides you have read about in the
papers or seen on the news. What was the one thing that they had in
common? Drugs and drug users.

Advocates of legalization contend that illegal narcotics are not as
dangerous as the media and officials have been portraying. Defenders
of truth, why do you remain silent? Tell your lawmakers that drug
legalization/decriminalization will not change anything, and it sends
mixed messages to our children. Children are very impressionable and
easily influenced.

Tell lawmakers to not be fooled into believing that legalization is
the answer. Do not give in to the pressures of a few outspoken people
who push for legalization and decriminalization. Many will continue to
use drugs whether they are legal or not.