TOO MANY DRUGS

YOUR editorial "Take a cynicism pill" (Opinion, Dec. 5) came at the
right time. I have noticed an increasing number of advertisements for
new drugs on TV and radio and in magazines. It made me wonder whether
this approach works with potential customers. Do people go to their
doctors and ask about the drugs being so heavily promoted?

In my case, those ads don't work. Instead, they have provoked just the
opposite reaction: If possible, I avoid taking any medicine.

It is intriguing that while this country conducts a war on drugs (I
know, the "illegal" ones), at the same time it allows this promotion
of drugs. Do we really want people taking more (legal) drugs?

Graciela Blaum,
San Jose