ANTI-DRUG FUNDING WASTED

Dear Editor,

Keith Buckner's observations concerning the problems that alcohol causes
our society are indeed valid. I would argue that we haven't yet begun to
take some of the steps necessary in "deglamourizing" alcohol use and
reducing possible harms as has been done with cigarettes (only after
billion dollar settlements forced them to). Our federal government spends
millions of taxpayer dollars on anti-drug ad campaigns that are actually
anti-marijuana campaigns. Children see these commercials and the next thing
that comes on is a beer commercial. Now why haven't we started to remove
this type of advertising from television and radio? Of course the reason is
money! The negative effects of alcohol on our society could surely be
reduced by using what we already know works and getting the alcohol
lobbyist out of Washington. Criminalizing adults for using other substances
is not the answer to our problems. It has in fact created more crime,
corruption, death and disease than we would have in a legally regulated
environment. And no, there wouldn't be any commercials advertising cocaine
in a legal environment. Nobody, even "Legalizers", advocate drug use. They
advocate the right for an adult to choose what they put in their body
without fear of incarceration. Our current system is the one which allows
any man, woman or child to obtain these substances without any control or
regulation. But have you ever wondered why our government hasn't bombarded
television with anti-drug ads on heroin or cocaine as they have with
cannabis? I think our "leaders" need to find the courage to end the
hypocrisy in our laws and let's start using logic and science to guide the
law making process. Not lobbyists and propaganda.

Scott Russ

Baton Rouge, LA