DRUG WAR - THE ANSWER TO ABUSE IS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

On one hand, I am heartened by the clear, rational thinking of a public
official, but on the other hand I am saddened that there are so few
officials like him ("Sheriff scoffs at drug war", The Gazette, Dec. 10,
2001). Sheriff Bill Masters is 100 percent correct when he says the war on
drugs is wasteful. What he alludes to, but doesn't say in the report, is
that drug abuse is an issue of personal responsibility and character. I've
no doubt that illegal (by government fiat) drugs are available for sale
within 10 minutes from any point in Colorado Springs, so what keeps the
city's population from becoming a mass of hard-core abusers? Something that
can't be mandated by a bureaucrat - personal responsibility and character.

When U.S. Attorney John Suthers speaks of looking into the eyes of a mother
whose daughter has recently overdosed on drugs, no one could help but feel
pity; another young life wasted. But who is ultimately responsible for that
death? Was this child forcibly restrained and administered drugs? As
difficult as it may be for parents to accept, children also have a
responsibility to stay away from dangerous situations and substances. I
doubt this child had never heard of the dangers of drugs, yet she chose to
ignore those warnings and paid a dear price.

What it all boils down to is this: Stop demanding that the government do
for you what you should be doing for yourself. Take responsibility for your
own actions and don't run to Uncle Sam demanding protection from something
that is easily remedied by saying no.

David A. Lange, Colorado Springs