THE LURE OF THE "FORBIDDEN FRUIT" IS VERY POWERFUL

I'm writing about the June 11 article, "Award-winning DARE officer
puts heart in substance abuse prevention, education."

Common sense tells us that the DARE program should deter our youth
from using illegal drugs. But it doesn't. DARE graduates are more
likely to use illegal drugs - not less.

Common sense tells us that the Earth is the center of the universe
and our solar system. But it's not.

Common sense tells us that prohibiting a product should substantially
reduce the use of the product that's prohibited. Actually,
prohibition tends to substantially increase the desire for the
product that's prohibited.

Before marijuana was criminalized in the United States via the
Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, the vast majority of Americans had never
heard of marijuana. Now everybody in the country knows what marijuana
is and the U.S. government estimates that at least 90 million
Americans have used it. About half of all high school students will
use marijuana before they graduate.

People want what they are told they cannot have - especially children.

The lure of the "forbidden fruit" is very powerful.

- - Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.