THE RIGHT FOR AN ADULT TO CHOOSE

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