DON'T LEGALIZE DRUGS

(in response to Leading Question: Milton Friedman, May 17, 1998)

Drug use is one of the most critical issues concerning health and quality of
life in America. As a physician, I come to the firm conclusion that the cost
in pain, suffering, disability and death due to drug use is appalling -- and
likely to get worse with further legalization.

Aside from the crimes to obtain money for drugs, are rational Americans
really expected to believe that if drugs were cheaper the users would
suddenly experience an improvement in character and stop committing crimes
to obtain money, stop physical abuse of their spouses and children, stop
driving under the influence and the whole spectrum of degeneration that
affects us all, sooner or later, directly and indirectly?

Friedman says he believes that "if the public were fully informed about the
issues, there would be overwhelming support for legalization." I suggest
that if Friedman were fully informed about the issue, he would join the
great majority of Americans who support strict laws and enforcement for a
wide range of deadly "feel good" drugs that threaten the lives and
well-being of our children and grandchildren.

Liberalizaing America's laws for self-abuse by drugs because they are
difficult to enforce is neither morally nor intellectually a sane idea. It
is wishful thinking for a better world with a simple solution -- that
doesn't exist.

William M. Helvey, M.D. Los Altos, CA

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett