GET DRUG FACTS, LEARN

Doing the right thing about drugs in our society will not happen out
of ignorance: We must learn and act on facts, not myths. From the
National Commission Report in 1972 to the Institute of Medicine Report
in 1999, reports have shown that marijuana use is not addictive and
does not lead to use of other drugs.

The Viewpoints letters from Robert Sharpe (March 24, "End drug-war
madness") and Don McDaniel (April 5, "Weed, booze are killers") are
horrible examples of learning the wrong thing. The drug issue is an
important one, but solutions will come from knowledge, not scare
tactics. Why have the Netherlands, Switzerland and Australia
decriminalized marijuana, and why are Canada, Great Britain and much
of Europe considering it? Do they know something we don't?

Buford C. Terrell
Houston