FOR DARRYL STRAWBERRY, LESS HYPE AND LESS PUNISHMENT

In the April 8 Tampa Tribune, I read the front-page article titled
"Desperate search led friends to Strawberry" and was shocked by the
very first sentence.

I wasn't shocked because of Darryl Strawberry's latest problems. I
was astounded by the sensationalism of the very first sentence and
read on in complete disbelief. Though the second page of this lengthy
article began to read decidedly different from the first, the several
paragraphs of the first page read like a bad detective novel, or more
like the commercial for an upcoming television talk-show.

Please, I resent the fact that the Tampa Tribune believes I need a
nine-paragraph hook in order to turn the page. like many people
nowadays, I don't have time for the buildup, I just want the facts.
To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't have continued to read this
article if it weren't for a sudden personal interest in finding its
newsworthiness. In fairness, I do believe that facts were eventually
reported. However, I ask you to read the comparatively compact
article on page 14 of that same paper concerning the death of seven
Americans searching for MIAs in Vietnam, and ask yourself if the
Strawberry article is worthy of its fluff-filled, 50-paragraph,
front-page status'

As an active member of this hectic 21st century American society, I
have to make an effort to keep up with global and local issues.

As a subscriber of your newspaper, all I ask is for the news.

Linda Rodriguez, Tampa

The outright gossip, "Let 'em go Flo" in a Daniel Ruth column (April
11) is shameful and damages your credibility. Did you do a survey or
did just one disgruntled person say everyone was saying it? Defend
this unworthy character assassination. Other than endangering Darryl
Strawberry's own life, what harm was done?

Strawberry does need help, but jail is like using an atom bomb for
gnats. He needs to learn to live in this community, not the criminal
community. Frequent urine samples, forced counseling, nights and
weekends in supervised community service - but not jail. It
completely destroys the person's life and support structure. He comes
out of jail a liability hoping for a miracle to get started again.

The war on drugs has proved that jail is costly and ineffective.
Strawberry is not a dealer.

Why does The Tampa Tribune accept money from drug pushers, cigarette
and alcohol manufacturers that kill, maim and destroy far more lives?
The emperor has no clothes. Every child drug user knows.

Jimmy Walter, Tampa

As I've watched the debate between drug court supporters and
detractors develop, it sounds more and more like the witch trials.

One side wants to burn Darryl Strawberry straight away, the other
wants to convert him first. But no one seems to be asking the one
critical question upon which our system of justice is supposed to
hinge: Who has Strawberry ever hurt other than himself? Remember, it
wasn't poor performance that ended his baseball career - it was a lab
result. Arguably, his wife and kids are his only victims other than
himself and they haven't expressed any desire to lock him up.

If there's a worse idea going than locking people up for drug use,
it's probably locking them up in close proximity to some tyrannical
altruist who wants to "help" them with a problem that probably
doesn't exist.

Ginger Warbis, Lighthouse Point, FL

With great interest I have been listening to and reading about the
continuing saga of Darryl Strawberry. I know some of the frustrations
Strawberry's family must be feeling. It hurts to stand by and watch
someone you love destroy himself or herself; that is one of the
byproducts of addiction - not only is the addict affected but the
entire family and, in Strawberry, case, a community. Those who are
not addicts are quick to judge those who are -myself included. I used
to hold addicts and alcoholics in contempt because I thought they
were weak, dirty or simply not nice people. Addiction is no respecter
of persons. It can strike anyone regardless of economic status,
religion or education.

Consider your own uncontrollable actions; for me it is potato chips.
I know they are not good for my cholesterol count but I rationalize
my actions by thinking, "I will eat a few just this time," knowing I
will end up eating most of the bag.

That may be a simplistic analogy to addiction, but I think the basic
premise is there. Addicts think they can use just one more time or
have just one beer. Next thing they know they are in a treatment
center, WI, homeless or dead. Putting addicts in jail is not the
answer to ending addictions.

I My husband and I formed a nonprofit corporation, Wake Up Call,
Inc., to educate parents on the wake up calls our children
demonstrate, sometimes daily. Wake Up Call's goal is to educate
parents before it is too late - prevention vs. addiction. We work
with churches, parent/teacher organizations, civic groups,
neighborhood associations and anyone with an interest in this issue.

As Strawberry knows, it is one day at a time. My thoughts and prayers
are with him and his family.

Sharron Cosby, Riverview, FL