BE HONEST WITH CHILDREN ABOUT PAST 'POT' EXPERIENCE

Columnist Patricia Pearson is right on the money on why we should be
honest with our children, rather than lying about or exaggerating our
experiences with marijuana ("What should you tell your kids about
your drug use? Dear Parents with foggy memories: Please don't pretend
you never inhaled." The Forum, Wednesday).

It would behoove us to be more honest with each other as adults
also.

The Clinton administration's drug czar Barry McCaffrey continues to
insist on telling American adults that any and all use of marijuana
will lead the country down an inexorable slope to ruin. He repeatedly
presents images of stoned schoolchildren and crazed drivers.

This despite the obvious successes of millions of Americans who may
use or have used marijuana.

Lying to adults makes no more sense than lying to children. Pearson's
column is a refreshing reminder that freedom has nothing to fear from
the truth.

Stephen S. Heath
Largo, Fla.