LEGALIZING DRUGS DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM

Bill Berlow's July 18 column in the Tallahassee Democrat ("Hoffman
under cover: evidence of a lost war") argues for drug
legalization.

Substance abuse is our nation's greatest health problem; it is our
greatest social problem. It too often underlies the breakup of our
families, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse and poor
health. We simply cannot afford the extraordinary health and social
costs that drug legalization would cause.

This is evident today, as we witness our society suffering terribly
as a result of today's legalization of alcohol and prescription
drugs. While controlling cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin
and other illicit drugs is always a high priority in the state's
Office of Drug Control, our nation's and state's most problematic
drugs today are alcohol and prescription drugs.

Because education and awareness about these problems are critical, I
offer some important facts regarding the potential dangers of drug
legalization.

Prescription drug-related deaths occur three times more frequently
than all illicit drugs combined. Prescription drug-related deaths are
increasing at a rate three times that of illicit drugs. We are
experiencing an epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Our young people
have access to prescription drugs that are in the medicine cabinets
at home. They are using these drugs with no medical supervision. They
often believe these drugs are safe because they were prescribed;
nothing could be further from the truth.

Illicit drugs are not legal because they are harmful and have no
medical value.

Underage drinking is the greatest threat to our youth. The alcohol
industry gains substantial profit each year from youth and problem
drinkers. Our society accepts alcohol use as normal. Many see youth
alcohol use as a right of passage and at times encourage youth to
drink. Yet evidence suggests that there is great risk from youth
alcohol use, including problems in brain development, addiction later
in life, high rates of traffic accidents, poor performance in school,
discipline, violence and myriad other social problems.

Alcohol use by youth is illegal. Rarely do we emphasize that alcohol
is illegal because it is harmful.

Our drug-control efforts at the state and community levels prioritize
protection of Florida's youth. The Florida Youth Substance Abuse
Survey clearly indicates our communities are succeeding. Past 30-day
prevalence rates for youth use of prescription amphetamines, cocaine
and Ecstasy are at 1.5 percent or less; LSD and PCP 1.0 percent or
less; methamphetamines, steroids, crack cocaine, Rohypnol, heroin,
GHB and ketamine 0.5 percent or less.

The circumstances surrounding Rachel Hoffman's death are being
reviewed. However, this tragedy should not be a vehicle to advance
the drug legalization agenda. As I travel the state, I constantly
hear support for our efforts to control and not legalize drugs. The
people I am talking to have felt personally the devastation of drug
abuse in their families and/or have seen the effects of drug use in
our treatment programs.

We too often read of heroic efforts by federal, state and local law
enforcement who have died in the line of duty to protect our
communities and families from the devastation of substance abuse.
When a law-enforcement officer is killed, we do not read about drug
legalization. Sadly, I read too little about the officer's ultimate
sacrifice, dedication, and why they are so committed to stopping drug
trafficking of any kind.

We must continue to support balanced and appropriate law enforcement,
prevention, education and treatment efforts to control drugs. Failure
to do so will result in health and social consequences we are
currently experiencing and must recognize now.

William H. Janes is director of the Florida Office of Drug Control.