Viewpoint Letters to the Editor

AGAINST LEGALIZING DRUGS

To the editor:

New York voters handed a defeat to drug legalization proponents on Nov. 4
by refusing to allow the "medical use" of marijuana. This decision speaks
well of an informed electorate, who may have watched with concern when
legalization efforts prevailed in California and Arizona in November of
1996. Clearly, a statebystate campaign is under way to legalize drug
use. As voices of drug proponents are heard, it is important for local
government to keep this issue in front of the people by taking a stand in
favor of our current drug policy.

Legalization efforts will undoubtedly continue, as activists portray their
efforts as an attempt to provide compassionate pain relief to millions of
suffering Americans. Law enforcement officials are concerned because of
the effects of this deception. Our struggle with drug abuse has taught us
a sobering lesson: drug use increases dramatically when people believe that
such use is an acceptable norm. In the late 1970s, drug tolerance and
leniency reached a peak in the United States. Drug use among children
skyrocketed, reaching a benchmark in 1979 when one in 10 high school
seniors was "high" on marijuana every day of the week. While drug
intervention programs have had good effect, our country has seen marijuana
use among young people double since 1992, according to the Drug Enforcement
Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The
legalization movement, with its confusing message about the beneficial
properties of substances like marijuana, can cause a decrease in the
perception of risk.

The Partnership for a DrugFree America reported the results of a recent
survey which showed that, as young people begin to perceive drugs as
dangerous, drug use drops proportionately. Conversely, when young people
get the message that drugs are helpful and should be legalized, their drug
usage increases. Legalization tells our children that adults believe that
drugs can be used responsibly and even for fun. With such an atmosphere it
becomes difficult, if not impossible, to reach children and convince them
that "doing drugs" is dangerous.

Illicit use of drugs by Americans fell from an estimated 24 million users
in 1979 to an estimated 13 million users in 1994. Education, leadership
and vigorous enforcement of the law made the difference then. This
combination can make the difference again. The law enforcement community
asks the advocates of legalization to answer these questions:

Should all drugs be legalized? If not, who will determine which ones are
legal and which will remain unacceptable?

Who decides age limits, proper amounts and means of distribution for the
formerly illegal drugs?

Do you want to live next door to a drug franchise shop? Will there be
driveup window service?

Who will bear liability for damages caused by drug use and its attendant
activities?

As drug usage becomes acceptable, who bears the social costs of health
care, family disintegration and child neglect?

Our laws are crafted by individuals who are committed to doing the right
thing in their communities. Dedicated to the greater good, legislators
educate themselves on the issues which face all of our citizens, especially
our children. Police officials are ready and willing to fulfill their
sworn duty to serve citizens and enforce the law.

John L. Gray, Altoona police chief