You've guessed it! I'm for the legalization of drugs.

As far as I know I'm one of the first, if not the first to come up with this idea. I was talking seriously about drug legalization way back in 1979, when nobody ever took the notion seriously.

You may think it strange for a recovered alcoholic to want the legalization of drugs, considering how booze and drugs effected my life; but I have good reason to believe this is the answer for the drug problem in America today. Granted, I don't think making drugs legal will help those who are already hooked, but it may keep our young people off of drugs. How can that be?-you say.

Consider this...When I was a young lad growing up, whenever I was told not to do something, that's the first thing I wanted to do. Call it rebellion, call it what you will; I seemed to have this need to prove my elders wrong. Like they didn't know what they were talking about. I think it's amazing how smart my mother has become as I've grown older!

I think most young people, especially teens, feel the same way I did. When you're in your teenage years, you think you're indestuctible, and that most grownups,although they might be nice people, are really rather dumb and old fashioned. In your teens, you're just beginning to discover life and some independence, and you will test that new-found independence to the limits. So every time some older person, be it parent, teacher, counselor or whoever makes a 'big deal' out of something; you will naturally put it to the test.

Most of what's wrong with America today is that we adults make such a "big deal' out of everything. "Don't smoke, it's harmful to your health. Please don't take drugs. Do not, under any circumstances have sex." And the list goes on, ad infinitum. I suppose it's only natural; we all want what's best for our children and our grandchildren; and because of our years and experiences we know the harm some of these things can cause. We've been there; done that. And of course we want to spare our children the same mistakes, and consequences thereof that we endured. But try to see it from a teenager's perspective. They look at it as us trying to control their lives, which they see as a threat to their newfound independence.

I had the opportunity to live for two years in Germany back in the late 70s. I don't know how it is now, but at that time if you were old enough to walk upright, you were old enough to drink. Nobody made a 'big deal' of it. Consequently, you did not see the teenage drinking problem that was and is so prevalent in the states. Kids were quite content to sit in the guasthaus and drink soda pop. I believe this same principle will work for the drug problem as well. If something isn't forbidden, it don't seem so interesting or fun anymore.

Well there's more food for thought. Agree or disagree; I truly hope I've made you think. And send those comments, please! My "comments" page is nearly blank. Of 11megs of space available to me, I still have about 8 left; so let's all work together to use up that remaining space.

Send your comments to ed888@webtv.net

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