DRUG ACCOUNTABILITY

Susan L. Hiltz, executive director of the Prevention Coalition of
Southeast Michigan, stipulated that the result of drug use is youth
crime, violence, addiction, etc., but the truth is that our policies
are exacerbating the problems ("Focus on drug use," May 19)

The World Health Organization has reported that alcohol and tobacco
are by far more harmful than heroin, cocaine and cannabis (marijuana).
But virtually everyone agrees we would only compound their harm by
(again) making them illegal.

No matter what drug policy we choose to utilize, we should encourage
more individual responsibility and accountability.

The answers lie in honest education for our children and creating a
regulated, controlled market for adults over 18 as we now have for
alcohol and tobacco.

Donna M. Paridee

Macomb County N.O.R.M.L.

New Baltimore