SUBSTANCE ABUSE A VALID TOPIC IN SUMMIT COUNTY

Re: "Use vs. abuse" by Jeff McAbee, opinion, Dec. 9

Summit County is a great place, I am proud to be a Summit High School
alum as well as a Summit County native. Unfortunately, being proud of
my hometown doesn't mean everything is perfect. Mr. McAbee was
absolutely right in talking about the drug and alcohol abuse taking
place at the high school, and the importance of doing something.

Shame on those of you who are upset with him. He was very clear in
stating abuse is not happening with every student. He also made it
very clear that there is a difference between abuse and use, and
students need to know the difference.

Yes, we live in Colorado's playground, and yes you might be offered a
joint on the ski lift, or be invited to party with a bunch of resort
employees. It doesn't mean you have to lose control or abuse
substances. Summit County kids may be exposed to drugs and alcohol at
an earlier age than most, but it doesn't mean we should abuse them.

Just because Breckenridge legalized marijuana does not change the fact
that its still against federal law. High schoolers you are still under
21, so if you are going to drink, be smart and don't abuse it.

And yes "everyone's doing it," but remember if all your friends jumped
off a cliff, would you jump too?

If anyone should be talking about the abuse of drugs and alcohol in
the schools, it should be those who see students five days a week.

Tara Kelley

Dillon