PRESCRIPTION DRUGS NOT SAFER THAN POT

As Henry Barmeier notes, abuse of prescription drugs by teens is a
serious problem ( op-ed, May 31 ). We may be making the problem
worse in the messages we send to young people.

Advertising bombards young and old alike with messages saying a pill
can solve any problem, from depression to erectile
dysfunction. Meanwhile, the White House's anti-drug ad campaign has
focused almost entirely on marijuana -- often with wildly exaggerated
claims regarding alleged dangers. In effect, we're encouraging kids
to think of potentially lethal prescription drugs as safer than
marijuana. Scientifically, that's wrong.

Anti-drug campaigns that ignore this reality are a threat to the
lives of our young people.

Sincerely,

Bruce Mirken

Director of Communications

Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., San Francisco