THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609050007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 28 lines
Your Sunday (Sept. 1) editorial, ``Accelerate drug war? No,'' almost caused me a heart attack!
Not only did you bring partisan politics into your argument, but you ended it advocating the legalization of drugs.
The impact of drug use is hard and real, touching all who use and don't use.
Look around as you travel about town. You are on video in most every type of retail establishment because shoplifting is so prevalent. Much of this is a result of prevailing drug appetites.
Food and drug stores herd us through electronic gates that detect certain expensive items. . . . Clothing is secured to racks by steel cords.
Legalization of drugs would only accelerate current problems by giving more people access without responsibility.
Basically, there is no government with the potential of eliminating drug abuse. That, singularly, is a product of the will of the people and until they feel strongly about this, drug abuse will flourish and our standard of living will steadily decline.
Legalization is not the answer.
ROBERT T. WICK
Virginia Beach, Aug. 26, 1996 by CNB