LEGALIZING MARIJUANA ISN'T THE SOLUTION TO OUR DRUG PROBLEMS

This is in response to Robert Sharpe's (Nov. 28) letter about legalizing
marijuana. I strongly disagree with Mr. Sharpe. I believe the legalization
of marijuana will not decrease the number of teen-agers who use it. In my
opinion, if marijuana is legalized, children and teen-agers will use and
abuse the drug even more. Those who were afraid to use it before because it
was illegal, will now be permitted to use the drug. Sharpe says that
legalizing marijuana would ''eliminate the forbidden fruit appeal of
illegal marijuana,'' but I don't think that it is true. What about drugs
like alcohol and cigarettes? They are legal, yet alcoholism is a major
problem in this country, and many teen-agers smoke countless numbers of
cigarettes. Why wouldn't there be a similar situation with marijuana? I
think the only reason marijuana should be legalized is if it is used for
medical purposes and medical purposes only. Doctors should be the only
people allowed to prescribe marijuana to patients. Honestly, if marijuana
is legalized, we will just have one more drug we have to worry about
getting into the hands of more children.

Michal Slawny