DRUGS NOT AS HARMLESS AS SOME SEEM TO THINK

I find it incredible that Ken Tupper can credit his talent for music
with his use of ecstasy, LSD, and magic mushrooms and seriously
believe there are no associated risks ["Drugs 101" August 21-28].
Regrettably, the long list of dead musicians who used drugs to, among
other things, enhance their musical experience is reason enough to not
recommend this route to kids.

And ritualized, ceremonial use of peyote among American Indians in a
centuries-old tradition is one thing. A 15-year-old Vancouver youth,
self-selecting drugs from a wide range of powerful substances in the
absence of context, adult role models, ritual, or meaning poses a
totally different and much more frightening reality.

We owe it to kids to be honest, and that means neither exaggerating
the potential harms nor pretending that drug use is safe. Kids tend to
live up or down to our expectations. Let's expect the best of them and
help them realize their potential in ways that do not carry the risk
of tragic and often lifelong consequences.

Art Steinmann, executive director

Alcohol-Drug Education Service

Vancouver