STUPID TO BACK LEGALIZATION

To the editor:

As I read your editorial of Aug. 9 ("Laundering and Mud: Furor over attack
ads obscures point"), I was astounded, shocked and disgusted that a
supposedly responsible publication would actually advocate the
decriminalization (legalization) of cocaine and other illicit drugs.

You advocate the legalization of illicit drugs because we are "losing" our
battle against drugs. I suppose we could also say, "Well there are 25,000
murders every year and murder is a difficult thing to prevent, so let's
just decriminalize murder."

Of course, you will cite other countries that have experimented with
legalization. These countries doctor the statistics because they are
embarrassed by the devastation their shortsighted legalization has caused.
Check out British Columbia, Canada, and see that 25 percent of junior high
and high school kids show up at school stoned every day.

Yet it appears you advocate placing a kilo of cocaine in the lunchroom of
our local elementary schools, telling the kids, "We allow this here, but
it's best that you don't touch."

Drugs are a scourge that have already destroyed too many lives. You are
being naive - nay, stupid - to support legalization. As a law enforcement
officer for many years, I have seen what drugs can do firsthand.

You need to rethink your stand. This country already has 50 million
alcoholics. We don't need more intoxicants condoned by our society.

With all of this in mind, I read your editorial, thinking in amazement,
"This comes from a responsible corporate entity?" I have to wonder what
your editorial board meetings are like. Are you sitting around giggling
with lines of cocaine in front of each editor?

Kids read the paper and report on editorials. You just made it more
difficult for parents to tell their kids that drugs are dangerous and to be
avoided at all costs.

Byron D. Cagle, McAllen