SOCIAL PROBLEM

The Aug. 2 Post and Courier had a front-page article, with photo,
titled "Laying down the law." It was a story about a gentleman who
lives west of the Ashley who became so exasperated with the drug
violence that "he fired a 12-gauge shotgun three times at three men
who were having a shootout in his front yard." He "apparently wounded
two of the men, who he said were drug dealers."

There have been numerous reports in the paper about thefts, violence,
chases, injuries and deaths of drug dealers, and police involved in
the "War On Drugs." Over the years, our communities have become more
unsafe by our approach to the drug problem.

Has anyone noticed that there have been few shootings, violence,
injuries, or deaths involving the people who deal in ethyl alcohol? No
turf wars. No children shot accidentally because an alcohol deal went
bad? No whiskey dealer around the schools trying to entice school
children to get hooked on booze? We have not had to spend millions
housing whiskey drinkers or dealers in an increasing number of jails.
These violent events related to alcohol did occur in the past.

The use of drugs is a major problem for South Carolina. Earlier
generations learned a lesson in the destructive results of
criminalizing drug use. In that case, the drug was alcohol, but they
went to the effort to repeal the amendment to our Constitution that
had outlawed the use of alcohol.

Making drinking a crime only made the problem worse, and making other
drug use a crime is only making the problem worse. Other drugs should
be treated similarly to alcohol, controlled but not criminalized. When
people under the influence of drugs endanger or disrupt others, then
their actions should be treated as criminal and jail time and fines
should be used, but when people get themselves doped up in their homes
or in private areas and do not disturb others, they should be left
alone to enjoy the good or bad consequences of their acts.

We would do better to understand that drug use is a medical and social
problem and not make it a criminal problem. Our money and efforts
would be better spent developing procedures and techniques to prevent
drug use and to aid those who have learned their lesson and want to
stop drug use. Instead of folks taking the law into their own hands,
arming the neighborhoods and creating a situation where people might
be shot by drug dealers and homeowners, let's try laying down workable
beneficial drug laws that have effective, helpful and peaceful social
consequences.

BILL UPSHUR

2410 Blackground Road