JUST A THOUGHT . . .

This week's sad and chilling account of a local teen's deadly
addiction to narcotics starkly illustrates the truth about drug usage.
This is not a victimless crime.

Just ask Diane Lawty, who lost a son to heroin's lethal grip.

While some insist that an individual's personal drug use hurts only
the user, what is ignored in this flawed argument is the price paid by
mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children, friends and business
associates. The addict's misery is compounded many times over.

During the '60s, many of us were introduced to a more liberal attitude
toward drugs. The "tune in, turn on, drop out" message began to
pervade society, and counter-culture gurus like Timothy Leary began
preaching the religion of mind-enhancement and nirvana through drug
use.

Today's society is still paying the price for this wrong-headed
concept. Illegal drugs often alter the mental state of users to the
point of irresponsible actions toward families, friends and employers.
Divorce, unemployment, bankruptcy, even homelessness and suicide can
be the dead end to what often starts as a seemingly innocent high.

Alcohol abuse is yet another part of our permissive, "Me First"
society, where self-gratification and instant pleasure are often
valued over personal responsibility and care for others.

There are plenty of victims from the use of illegal drugs.

Just ask Diane Lawty.