ROBERT DOWNEY JR.

Re "Actor Robert Downey Jr. Given 6Month Jail Term," Dec. 9:

Could anyone really believe that Robert Downey Jr., who has the ability to
have a full and creative life, would choose to be an addict?

When will we get over our moralistic naivete about addiction? Someone may
choose to experiment with drugs or alcohol; addiction is not a choice. It
cannot be punished away.

When will we believe the research that proves that addiction is a chronic,
relapsing medical condition that requires a variety of treatment strategies
based on an individual patient's needs?

When will we admit defeat? The war on drugs has failed. Perhaps there is
no panacea, there rarely is, but certainly the criminalization of addiction
is as wasteful as it is primitive and immoral.

RITA LOWENTHAL, Santa Monica

Kudos to the judge for sentencing Downey to six months in jail. It's about
time someone took the proper stance and gave one of the overpaid and
overblown egos what he deserves.

BOB SHERMAN, Glendale

Copyright Los Angeles Times