JUDGE'S VIEW ON DRUG ESSAY QUESTIONED

Judge Cathy Everett did not request an objective essay on the evils of
drugs, but rather an essay supporting her opinion on the evils of drugs
(Judge passes Kelvin student's drug essay rewrite, Feb. 11).

Rather than accepting the original essay on it's factual merits, she
instead dismissed it saying it sent an "incorrect message." In fact, the
essay did not convey an incorrect message at all, but rather a message
Judge Everett did not agree with. On the other hand, numerous experts
support the "message" implied by the teen's essay: Mainly that the use of
drugs is a personal decision and the majority of the perils associated with
drugs are caused by drug ignorance and the drug war, not the drugs themselves.

I applaud the teen's courage in writing the original essay and it pleases
me to see the younger generation is focused on the important areas of
knowledge, fact, science and liberty rather than blinded by ignorance,
political rhetoric and a rampant God complex.

The next time Judge Everett truly wants to obtain an essay on drugs
containing an accurate "message," I suggest she request one examining the
evils of the drug war.

BLAIR KISSEL

Winnipeg