SOLUTIONS BETTER THAN TIRESOME CONDEMNATION

The tiresome use of words and phrases like "absurd," "ridiculous,"
"lunatics" and "get real" do nothing to address the problem of drug abuse
(Letters, Oct. 16).

Anti-social and criminal behavior by those who abuse drugs is a problem that
has been with us since the dawn of civilization. Just because a substance,
or enterprise, is made "illegal" does not make it go away. Prostitution has
been illegal in most countries for centuries, but the enterprise is alive
and flourishing.

Human nature being what it is, there will always be a demand for "feel-good"
substances and activities from a certain percentage of society. However,
there are a great many people who smoke tobacco, drink alcohol or use drugs
who do not commit crimes, and are by most measures responsible upstanding
citizens.

Ranting and raving about a hatred of various substances does nothing to
solve the very real problems we are all facing. Just as the bullet is not
responsible for the murder, drugs are not responsible for the criminal
activity of the user. In both instances, the perpetrator of the crime is
directly responsible for his or her actions.

Why not make an effort to offer some real-world solutions. To paraphrase the
Bard, the writer "doth protest too much, methinks," and too often.

Bill Harding

Makawao