THE WAR ON (SOME) DRUGS

Joshua Shenk's attempt to group illicit drugs with psychotropic drugs -
because both alter the mind and body - is harmful in its simplicity and
contributes to the already existing stigma suffered by the clinically
depressed. The purpose of illicit drugs is to produce a good feeling, a
high. The purpose of antidepressants is to restore to "normal," or at least
to acceptable, one's ability to function.

The desire for sleep and appetite, and energy and concentration enough to
make it through the day, is not the same as the desire to get high on
alcohol or cocaine.

It is harmful to suggest that antidepressants induce pleasure, for inherent
in that belief is a reproach to patients who crave a sense of well-being.

The distinction is akin to the one between the athlete who takes anabolic
steroids in order to enhance his performance and the diabetic who takes
insulin in order to enhance his survival.

Tracy Bjorgan Regina, Saskatchewan