Pubdate: Fri, 13 Dec 2002 Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA) Copyright: 2002 San Jose Mercury News Contact: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390 Author: Graciela Blaum TOO MANY DRUGS YOUR editorial "Take a cynicism pill" (Opinion, Dec. 5) came at the right time. I have noticed an increasing number of advertisements for new drugs on TV and radio and in magazines. It made me wonder whether this approach works with potential customers. Do people go to their doctors and ask about the drugs being so heavily promoted? In my case, those ads don't work. Instead, they have provoked just the opposite reaction: If possible, I avoid taking any medicine. It is intriguing that while this country conducts a war on drugs (I know, the "illegal" ones), at the same time it allows this promotion of drugs. Do we really want people taking more (legal) drugs? Graciela Blaum, San Jose - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake