A LACK OF COMMON SENSE, NOT ACCESS TO DRUGS, IS THE PROBLEM

Garth Stevens' My Turn on Monday ("Flawed logic behind push for drug
legalization") is flawed. Access to drugs is not the culprit, lack of
common sense and self-control are the culprits.

Stevens says the top-three drugs used by teens are alcohol, inhalants
and prescription drugs. I would trade marijuana for any one of them.
To his point, we should ban alcohol, inhalants and prescription drugs;
problem solved.

Of course, rational people can see how ridiculous this would be. Or
can they?

Teens and adults will always experiment with whatever is around. Did
you ever think to inhale household cleaning supplies to get high? I
never did.

While there is no argument about the positive effects of
drug-prevention programs, there is also no argument about the positive
economic and security benefits of legalizing marijuana. There are
always going to be ways of sacrificing our health for life experience,
whether it's parachuting, racing, climbing a mountain or using alcohol
or marijuana.

Access is not the culprit, lack of common sense and self-control are
the culprits. -

Kenneth Flamer

Gilbert