USE AND ABUSE

In reference to "Deputy innocent in drug theft," March 24:

Not meaning to quibble, but when testing for drug "abuse" one
measures degree of impairment.

A urine test - which I assume was the one used on Mr. West - tests
for drug "use." The beclouding of these two words is part of official
U.S. anti-drug policy to demonize the users of certain drugs, but not
others. If we were living in the 1920s the News Journal staff
reporters would be writing of my alcohol "abuse," because I drink an
occasional beer. - John Chase, Palm Harbor