PARENTS, NOT COPS, SHOULD TEACH KIDS ABOUT DRUGS

Regarding "Kids commit to drug-free life," a news story you published
on Sept. 25:

The story presents feel-good warmth, but the main fact, mentioned
early, is then dismissed. And that's the fact that data show such
games that police play with kids don't do a thing to reduce later drug
use.

Six-year-olds will pretty much say "yes" to anything that an armed
police officer with a big dog asks them to. Heck, most of them still
believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. They aren't mature enough
to ask the cop the tough questions that need to be asked. Questions
like:

. "Why do you view marijuana as dangerous as alcohol?"

. "Why should my parents go to jail for a joint, when my friends'
parents can drink alcohol daily?"

. "Why do I see other police officers smoking tobacco and using
alcohol on their off-hours if being drug-free is so cool?"

. "Why do a lot of my friends get dosed with Ritalin and other drugs
if being drug-free is best for them?"

Unanswered questions like these explain why when cops teach our kids
about health-care matters, teen drug abuse is at its highest level
ever. It's time for armed police to get out of education. Let the
schools teach reading, writing and math, and let parents teach their
kids about drugs.

STEPHEN HEATH

Drug Policy Forum Of Florida

Clearwater, Fla.