JUST SAY NO

Whatever happened to "Just Say No to Drugs"?

In every newspaper of significance, across the Internet and on the
airwaves, arguments rage back and forth about the legalization of
illicit drugs.

Just months ago, the only drug under legalization scrutiny was
marijuana. Now, legalization advocates have extended the argument to
include cocaine and heroin, drugs that are much more often the target
of rehabilitation stays.

Arguments in favor of legalization offer such humanitarian benefits
as "less drug-related violence," "less illness," "use would still be
a public nuisance that could be fined," "drugs would be purer, less
contaminated and under controlled distribution."

The legalization movement is an utter reversal of Nancy Reagan's
message of the 1980s, "Just say no to drugs." At that time, Americans
were not willing to throw up their hands and admit defeat.

The argument to legalize these drugs is a blatant admission that
those who are supposed to treat the addicted or reduce demand have no
successful way of doing so.

I work at Narconon Arrowhead, a large drug and alcohol rehabilitation
and education center in Oklahoma and I do so to give people a chance
to live drug and alcohol-free. I am not willing to throw up my hands
and admit defeat.

What mother in America thinks that legalizing heroin, cocaine or
marijuana is a path to success? I didn't have this attitude with my
son when I discovered that he was smoking pot and drinking at the age
of 12.It took a little time and some hard work, but I made sure that
he learned why to be drug-free. He has been free from any such
problems for ten years.

Today, I decided to find out for myself whether or not legalizing
heroin had any merit. I sought out a Narconon graduate who had been a
heroin addict for decades but who is now completely drug and alcohol
free. I asked him what effect heroin, just the drug itself, had
created on him and his life.

He told me, "If you take away the effect of the illegal acts that
made me homeless and put me in jail, the drug itself robbed me of my
life. I was anesthetized. I could not feel happiness. I couldn't see
that my family was suffering along with me. I didn't see my family
for more than a decade and I have just now reunited with my daughter
after eleven years. I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I have
gone through."

Since I've been at Narconon, I have seen people recover from a
degraded and debased condition and be restored to vigor, health and
enjoyment of life. I see it happen every day.

If it's possible to give those who have been addicted to heroin,
cocaine, OxyContin, marijuana, methamphetamine or alcohol enjoyable,
drug-free lives again, why should we admit defeat?

When recovery is possible, it is not necessary to knuckle under to
spurious claims that legalization is the only solution.

If anyone wants to find out for themselves how Narconon brings about
this recovery, they can call us at 1-800-468-6933 or visit our Web
site at www.stopaddiction.com.

Myself, I will continue to champion a drug-free future for all Americans.

Karen Hadley

Narconon Arrowhead