A BETTER DRUG AD

The one question Lovell Beaulieu didn't ask himself or your readers in
his July 18 column, "Harsh Reality of Drug Use's Damage": Are the new
anti-drug ads realistic, or even based on facts?

It is hard to see how an "over the top" anti-drug campaign that lumps
drugs such as marijuana in with "hard" drugs such as cocaine, heroin
or methamphetamine is going to have any long-term positive effect on
young people.

If the makers of these ads wanted to convey a realistic message, they
might consider showing people convicted of marijuana possession locked
up in overcrowded prisons with rapists, murderers and other violent
felons, many of whom will see the light of day sooner than the drug
user due to mandatory minimum-sentencing laws.

Alan Mason,
45291 Jojoba Rd., Aguanga, Calif.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry