BATTLE ILLICIT DRUGS

Gene Kuechmann recommended in his Sept. 11 letter, "Expose the
results of war," that "Every time an American is killed and every
time an American is maimed for life in Iraq, it should receive
front-page treatment, above the fold." At least these soldiers are
giving their lives for an honorable quest and their families and
loved ones can take comfort in that memory.

On another battlefield, we lose more than 50,000 Americans every year
to illicit drugs. And, 16,000 of those are young people, students our
children. When are we going to start keeping tally of the loss of
those lives on the front page, above the fold?

These senseless deaths involve an illegal act, are entirely
preventable, and leave family and friends devastated. And the use of
and demand for these destructive substances provides the currency
that funds terrorism throughout the world. When is the media going to
stop hiding this debacle and start giving drug prevention the
attention and consideration that it requires?

Sandra S. Bennett