'REEFER MADNESS' OR ACTIVISM?

In a sadly humorous development, Sen. Orrin Hatch and University of Utah
criminologist Gerald Smith perversely have confused social activism with
marijuana use.

The Washington Post reported that Hatch, R-Utah, wrote the preface for a
booklet by Smith titled "How Parents Can Help Children Live Marijuana
Free."

Hatch urges parents to carefully study the book to learn signs that
children are using drugs, the Post notes.

Among the signs of drug abuse cited in the booklet are "excessive
preoccupation with social causes, race relations, environmental issues,
etc."

The advice is tragically unrealistic and targets liberalism instead of
substance abuse. Conservatives use drugs, too.

This sort of unreliable misinformation breeds the distrust and alienation
that fosters youthful drug experimentation.

The real problems with drugs in America are much too serious and pervasive
to waste time on silly diversions such as this.

Please, gentlemen. Get real.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson