PUSHING DRUGS

I particularly admired the Jim Borgman editorial cartoon in the July 29
Eagle, which celebrated a fictitious wonder drug called "Gulliblexx."

The more I watch the miracles by the many drugs so imaginatively hyped by
the drug-company hucksters, I realize that, according to their message, if
I simply take every pill, use every lotion, potion, cream and salve, and
follow the advice of Oprah and Dr. Phil, I'll live forever in glowing
youth, vigorous health, financial prosperity and total bliss. Finally, the
true messiah has come: eternal life, youth and beauty -- in a pill, from a
tube, on a talk show.

But the true tragedy is that self-serving pharmaceuticals constantly
promote, sensationalize and vividly dramatize the benefits of drug use.
While telling our young to "just say no" to drugs, the TV continually
extols drugs that enhance performance, lift emotions, solve problems and
bring wild joy to their users.

Drug use is promoted everywhere, by athletic heroes, glamour queens and
even political leaders. Little wonder so many youths laugh at all the
warnings and then do exactly what we've shown them is good to do: Use drugs!

Could it be that the "war on drugs" is missing a major front?

BOB LAYNE Winfield