HEROIN USE BY TEENS IS SIMPLY NOT 'NORMAL'

It is with deep sadness that I heard and read about Andy Davidson's
apparent drug overdose. I wish to extend my sympathies to his family
and his friends. I do, however, have to take exception to a comment
that is credited to Ryan Deringer, one of Andy's friends in the Daily
Herald's Jan. 21 story.

I realize the comment may have been taken out of context, but it
speaks to an issue that needs to be addressed. Andy may have been a
great friend and a very loving son and brother, but he was not "your
normal kid; extremely normal."

Nothing personal, Ryan, but I think your statement reflects a
mind-set that puts other teenagers at risk. It is not normal for a
17-year-old boy to, one, abuse the illegal drug heroin, and, two, die
from a drug overdose.

To say that this kind of behavior is normal is to do a grave
injustice to the majority of teens who are doing the "normal" thing
and not using drugs. Numerous national, state and local surveys show
that most 17-year-olds on the average weekend are not using drugs,
particularly heroin. A large percentage of teens are remaining
drug-free.

I know his friends and family may be angered by my comments; that is
not my intent. If they want to get angry, get angry at the person who
sold Andy the drugs and the small portion of the youth who believe
that heroin is harmless and continue to use. It is not! How many more
Andys do we have to lose before the message gets out, "Using drugs is
not normal!"?

The consequences can be deadly. Ask Andy.

Philip C. Koehl

Mount Prospect