IT'S A HEALTH ISSUE

* As a Republican and a new resident of Arizona, I do not know anything
about Senator McCain's wife's alleged drug problem nor do I care to know.

That said - I am compelled to respond to Friday's Benson's View and other
Republic reporters' comments about her drug use.

John McCain should capitalize on the media's insensitivity toward his wife
and put a stop to this madness. Our current federal drug policy breeds
nothing but contempt for those that were and are addicted. We need to be
more responsible and treat drug addition as the health issue that it is and
not a criminal issue.

McCain should lead the way to a more humanitarian approach to drug policy
and stop the persecution of those who have or have had an addiction. Now
that's someone I could vote for for president.

Paula A. Pennypacker, Sedona