CURRENT ATTEMPTS TO EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT DRUGS LEAVE MUCH TO BE
DESIRED

In a recent letter to the editor, Dorothy Clarke calls for more media
attention to the problem of illegal drug use by our young people. Ms.
Clarke is correct that more public discussion on this issue is
important, and she demonstrates wisdom when she says "let's teach them
about drugs".

I belive that education is imperative in reducing the use of harmful
illegal drugs by our children. I also believe that our current
attempts to educate leave much to be desired, and are in fact
counterproductive.

Research has shown that some illegal drugs and other substances, such
as inhalants, cause great damage to the mind and body. Other drugs
are, however, relatively safe. If, in out attempt to educate, we
fabricate or exaggerate the dangers of benign "drugs" such as
marijuana, what message are we sending to our children?

We send the message that we don't know what we are talking about or,
worse, that we are liars. In either case, trust is lost, and with it
is lost our ability to guide them away from trying drugs from which
there may be no escape.

It has been said that the truth will set you free, and as surely at
that is true, so is it true that lies will come back to haunt you.
Let's take the high road, be honest with our children, and save them
and ourselves much needless grief.

Please, just say NO to the War on Drugs and marijuana prohibition. For
more information, visit the non-profit web sites www.drcnet.org or
www.mapinc.org.

Leroy Casterline Fort Collins, Colorado casterle@ccltd.com