SMOKING CHARLIE CONDON

Someone tell Charlie Condon that the ends do not justify the means. The
unintended consequence of driving addicted women out of the health care
system entirely also needs to be taken into account.

Get creative Mr. Condon, find a better way to get the job done. Think smart
and try to be helpful. Do not think dumb with punitive measures in mind.

Every drug policy study ever done in the past century recommends
decriminalization of all drugs. The world on the street created by our drug
policies contributes to the alienation of the addict. I would think asking
Dutch drug policy experts how they handle addicts who are pregnant would be
a good first start to generating some effective humane policies. And, give
up the utopian drive to have a perfect world. Utopians have committed some
of the worst atrocities on mankind in their quest for a perfect world.

How many limited resource dollars will now be lost from the state coffers
because of the folly of people like Mr. Condon? Research has shown even
crack babies almost fully recover from their challenges early in life, that
the real cause of the problems seen in this population of youth is poverty.
Poor nourishment and an unstimulating home environment. Alcohol is the one
drug that truly does lasting damage to the fetus, yet we appear able to
cope with that issue without violating people's liberties.

Matthew Hulett, Brick, N.J.