THE LETTER FROM OUR CANADIAN NEIGHBOR

My general response to letters to the editor is to either quietly agree,
disagree, or ignore the varied opinions represented.

The letter in the Oct. 8 edition from our Canadian neighbor would not allow
me any of these options.

My heart does indeed go out to the writer for the loss of his 19-year-old
son. I truly doubt that the devastation of this tragic loss would have in
any way been lessened if this young man had died as a result of ingesting
"legalized" heroin.

Although prohibition had its problems, the legalization and "control" of
alcohol has also had less than ideal results. One only has to look at the
tens of thousands of alcohol-related traffic deaths that occur each year in
this country, not to mention the personal devastation, wrecked lives, homes
and families alcohol use and abuse has been a major factor in.

Legalizing all drugs would undoubtedly have a similar effect, multiplied
many times over.

The harm done to users and non-users is not the result of the legal status
of the drug, but the adverse mental, physical, emotional and physiological
effect the drug has on the mind and body of the drug user, or the mind and
body the drug user inadvertently runs over or into while on their "trip."

It is my opinion that were it not for the misuse of drugs and alcohol,
whether legal or not, that fully half of our law enforcement personnel
would no longer be necessary. So, instead of multiplying our social
problems, let's support our local law enforcement, holding them accountable
through the electoral system in place in this great country. Let's also
love our neighbor, whether he is black, Chinese, Mexican or Canadian, and
protect the virtue of all women, even the Christian women.

While I'm here, let me also say, "Well said, Thomas Frisbee." It was never
the intent of the so-called "establishment clause" in our Constitution to
protect the government from the church, but to protect the church from the
government.

Keith Buckner

Spruce Pine