BEST WAY TO FIGHT TERRORISM IS TO STRENGTHEN OUR HEALTH

DEAR ABBY: After a breakfast discussion about the obesity crisis in our
nation, I saw the letter from "Worried in Rhode Island," the 14-year-old
girl who is concerned about her friends who use alcohol and drugs. I've
been thinking a lot lately about health and self-destructiveness. I see
this as one of the major problems in our nation today.

All over the country, flags are hanging in front of thousands of homes
signifying that we are united against the common enemy of terrorism. But I
can't help remembering that profound line from the comic strip, "Pogo": "We
have met the enemy, and it is us."

As we descend further and further down the slippery slope of addictions
(which include not only alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, but shopping,
gambling, overeating, sexual obsessions, and more), we are becoming a
nation so harmful to itself that terrorists need only sit back and watch us
self-destruct. How can we be truly strong and healthy as a nation when we
are comprised of individuals who are not strong and healthy?

What can be done to institute a national campaign to strengthen ourselves
as individuals with physical and emotional health? Of course, for younger
people, we must use the public schools, but factual drug education and
testimonials about harmful consequences have never been enough. We must
discover WHY we hurt ourselves in these ways.

Seeking health and strength should be not only our personal goals, but
would enable us to unify and defend against terrorists in a way that would
do more good than simply waving the flag. -- AGREEING WITH 'POGO'

DEAR AGREEING: You're asking intelligent questions about very important
issues. People usually engage in self-destructive behaviors because they
are trying to avoid dealing with unpleasant emotions or situations -- so
they comfort themselves with substances or behaviors that when used to
excess can be damaging.

The first step in conquering any addiction is to admit you have one. The
next step is to seek professional help. Confronting our weaknesses is a
sign of strength, and admitting you have them is nothing to be ashamed of
- -- it's human.