DRUG LEGALIZATION WILL NEVER BENEFIT SOCIETY

It is amazing to me that the Enquirer would allow irresponsible journalism
to take a prominent place on the editorial page. Journalist Kathleen Parker
wrote on Aug. 5, "To tell the truth about Drugs."

The editorial not only wasn't telling the truth, but also, Ms. Parker
ignored readily available case studies from countries all over the world
that totally refute her contention that we should legalize some drugs. Her
belief is that there are some hard drugs that are not harmful and that the
public is not being told the truth.

Drug legalization has been experimented with and studied all over the
world. The reality is that criminalization/legalization, drug use has
increased by multiples of three or four, particularly in Great Britain,
Netherlands and Switzerland. When marijuana was decritninalized in Alaska
and Oregon, use among adolescents increased to the point that both states
have now again made possession a Crime.

Ms. Parker makes the point that if marijuana were legal, we would have to
limit the availability to minors, like we do alcohol. Our country's success
limiting alcohol to minors is laughable. Anyone knows that legalizing pot
would reduce the perception of risk associated with drug use. Once legal,
more readily available and socially acceptable, the lure of drugs would be
impossible to counteract by education or prevention programs.

Ms. Parker tries to make a case for legalization based on medical benefits.
She cited one article that said it could be used to help some people with
various psychological disorders. It is true that marijuana may be useful in
certain circumstances as a mood-enhancing agent, but serious side effects,
even when taken short-term, will limit its usefulness. There are safe and
effective alternatives that are known to exist, so why use marijuana that
is known to be marginal? The bottom line: Not one American health
association accepts marijuana as medicine. They have rejected it outright.

Come on, Kathleen Parker; you need to do your homework. No reputable person
who has studied this issue will support any of your arguments for the
legalization of drugs.

Michael B. Hall Board member, Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati