TAKING DRUGS IS A CHOICE - A BAD ONE

Peter Randell did not die because of drug prohibition and any problems that
may be associated with it (Prohibition ensures needle's damage is done,
Sept. 12). With a chemist father, a doctor uncle and a pharmacist
grandfather, who may not have known directly of his experiments with drugs,
but could have guessed from his personal interests, perhaps they need to
look at themselves as one of the reasons. With all that information
available in the family where they didn't see drugs as "mysterious,
frightening things," perhaps they should have discussed with Peter the
dangers of mixing drugs.

Peter Randall died because he made bad choices -- as most teens do from
time to time -- although from his background he certainly should have been
informed of the ins and outs of taking drugs.

Jim Miles, Vernon

The outpouring of anger at the fact that drugs are illegal, and lamenting
efforts to curb drug trafficking, ignore one major fact: Drug abuse is not
a good thing. Nor is it simply another lifestyle choice or pleasant
pastime. It sucks the life out of people. It destroys potential.

I challenge The Sun to put together a series of articles, perhaps
coinciding with Drug Awareness Week in November, that presents the other side.

Colin Mangham, Director, Prevention Source BC