HIGHER TAXES WON'T STOP THOSE WHO ARE ADDICTED

To the Editor:

As Tennessee increases ''sin'' taxes on tobacco and alcohol, many who say
they will quit using these products will find that they cannot. Cigarettes
could be $10 per pack, and they would still smoke. They are addicted, and
the cost to the person and everyone around them is high.

Addictions are compulsive and/or avoidant behaviors associated with craving
that are continued despite negative consequences. Addictions partially
relieve or medicate inner psychological wounding of pain, insecurity and
anger, usually formed in early childhood. To stop exposes the inner misery
inside. To compensate, addicts switch excesses easily, like from tobacco to
food, keeping their lives unmanageable.

Addicts are not bad people. They are wounded people with a bad disease. To
get well, they need truth balanced with grace. No amount of will power can
stop addiction for the addict is indeed powerless to stop on his/her own.
They indeed need a power greater than themselves.

If Tennessee really wants to confront the true issue behind alcoholism,
drugs, poverty and divorce, I suggest that the state learns about how
addictions get started and how to confront the issue with truth balanced
with grace.

James S. Kennedy

Nashville 37203