Author: Mellissa J. Tappa

LEGALIZING DRUGS NOT THE ANSWER

ALLOUEZ - This letter is in response to Jeremy Klopotic's July 17 Forum
letter. In the past, I may have somewhat agreed with Jeremy's argument that
legalizing certain drugs would solve a lot of problems, as it has in
Holland. But in the past, I didn't even know of anyone who ever used such
drugs, and really never gave it much thought.

However, my entire thought process, my entire world changed on Jan. 9 of
this year, when my father, Douglas Tappa, was robbed, then brutally
MURDERED. The items taken were used to purchase, among other things, DRUGS.

Wake up, Jeremy. There is a very good reason why heroin is illegal! Not
only is it immediately addictive, along with crack, cocaine and others it
LEADS TO CRIME! Think about it. Haven't you seen the commercials? You know,
"Oh, I just bought a little weed ... I'm not hurting anyone."

Furthermore, even if heroin were legalized, it still would have to be
PURCHASED, right? I don't think our government is going to start handing
out the stuff to addicts who are unable to work because of their addiction.
If they did, it would really be you and me paying for it, right? (Less tax
money to pay for those drug-addiction treatment centers and schools you
proposed), so these addicts will still need to find some way to get the
money to get their fix.

Another hole in Klopotic's theory is that addicts are more likely to be
violent or assaultive when they are going through withdrawal. Drug addicts
are likely to be more violent or assaultive, PERIOD. They are more likely
to commit the other crimes that you mentioned ... "murderous rapists." It
would be very interesting to know how many of those aforementioned "real"
criminals had abused drugs.

This is not the 1960s. Drug use and abuse is not glamorous. We know it is
deadly, not only to those who use it and sell it, but to EVERYONE - right
down to the friendly jewelry guy living in Allouez. Or maybe YOUR dad.

Mellissa J. Tappa