BEER ON CAMPUS PERPETUATES MYTH

To the editor:

Just five months ago (May 8), the Telegram-Tribune reported "Poly
binge drinking 'alarming.'" This month Cal Poly officials are
encouraging alcohol use by selling it on campus. A dangerous fallacy
lurks behind this unclear thinking.

That fallacy is "we will teach the students responsible drinking."
What is wrong with the "drink responsible" theme? Alcohol, our
nation's No. 1 drug problem, is an addictive drug. The nature of an
addictive drug is to work against control, against moderate use. The
term "responsible use of alcohol" is an oxymoron created by the
alcohol industry. We may as well talk about responsible use of cocaine
and heroin.

We saw a recent Poly homecoming parade marred by drinking students. We
saw Poly Royal dismantled because of alcohol. University of Santa
Barbara have taken a zero-tolerance stance. One would think that we
would join Stanford and other leading universities in a national trend
to wisely refrain from alcohol sales.

Selling it on campus merely perpetuates the myths, and gives it
cultural approval that encourages its use.

Norm Jackson
Santa Margarita

Checked-by: Patrick Henry