"LEGALIZED DRUG USE"

Regarding the editorial ``A major florida focus on drug use'' (Feb. 10): The
editorial states, ``Drug use is not a victimless crime. Besides the horrific
physical and emotional damage illegal drugs do to the individual and his or
her family, the addiction almost invariably leads to crime.''

This statement overlooks the fact that the great majority of instances of
drug use are victimless, since they cause little or no damage nor addiction
nor crime.

A similar situation exists with alcohol: If one simply looks at skid row
alcoholics and those admitted to hospitals with alcohol-related problems,
then alcohol becomes a killer and a crime producer. Ignoring the truth about
drug use would be the equivalent of ignoring the great majority who use
alcohol responsibly. If it is more difficult to use illicit drugs
``responsibly,'' this is a function not of the drugs but of their
prohibition.