DRUG USERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS

This concerns the several recent articles discussing fatal drug overdose,
and pursuit of murder conviction for those " ... who provide prescription
narcotics-whether intentionally or not ..."

This sends a chill down the backs of physicians already criticized for
under-treating pain; there are suits for this also. Who wants to be employed
where you are liable regardless of what you do, or don't do. I wonder if the
judicial system next will prosecute the grocery store for selling a bottle
of aspirin, bleach, antifreeze etc., to some suicidal person, or the
department of transportation for building a bridge that somebody jumps off.
There are any number of ways to "end it all."

Certainly those profiting by illegal drug trade are despicable. Like most
vices, though, it takes at least two. Human nature seeks a variety of
experience. The "war" against drugs has been ineffective if not
counterproductive, in the opinion of nearly everyone except those employed
by the War. The definition of addiction should be "something that you
really, really like to do" rather than something that you have to do. No one
has to continue a self-destructive habit, regardless of how good it feels.

People who favor legalization want to place the responsibility for the
decision on the user, rather than the provider. This would eliminate the
middle man, who profits from the sale, and the authorities who chase their
tails tracking down a few marijuana plants with a "street value of several
million dollars." The user should be responsible for the consequences of his
behavior, rather than passing it on to his family and the taxpayer. Most
everyone would be happier, and the economy in southern West Virginia might
improve.

Stephen DeGray

Bluefield, Va.