DRUG TRUTH

Congratulations on the Jan. 13 article about youth smoking.

Prohibition has proven costly and ineffective. Education is a more
realistic approach. However, Brady Webb, Jackson County tobacco prevention
coordinator, does little to promote understanding of drug abuse when he
characterizes cigarettes as a "gateway" drug to other drugs, especially
marijuana.

The concept of "gateway drugs" has long been dismissed by credible
psychiatrists in favor of the study of compulsive and addictive behavior.
To say that tobacco is a "gateway" to marijuana is like saying drinking
alcohol is a gateway to soda-pop.

Actually, marijuana is the only one of these substances that is not physically
addictive. Alcohol and tobacco kill people directly and indirectly,
marijuana does not. Soda and other sugar-laced treats are the first
substance abuse problem. Children will steal it, stash it, cry for it and
then become aggressive and generally unsociable as blood sugar levels
fluctuate.

Children learn that "drugs" are bad while they see teachers, doctors and
parents conspire to prescribe chemical dependency (Ritalin), usually
without prior consideration of likely emotional or dietary problems.

Please, Mr. Webb, don't let cultural prejudice destroy your credibility
with absurd comparisons between truly dangerous drugs like tobacco and
alcohol and the relatively benign ones like marijuana. Tell them it's
illegal, laws can be changed. Don't tell them lies that will fuel their
rebellious attitudes.

Honest and objective presentation will eventually be assimilated; hypocrisy
and misinformation will only serve to diminish your message.

William Richardson

Applegate, Oregon