Pubdate: Thu, 06 Apr 2006
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/letters/sendletter.html
Website: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Referenced: 
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/0404ednewatt.html
Author: Dale Hackler

HANDLE DRUG ABUSE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE

Meghan Bohn is right in sharing the sentiment "that the U.S. 
government doesn't deal with drug offenders in the most efficient 
way." But she misses the mark when she says that because some 
recreational users go too far and hurt or kill themselves, some drugs 
should be considered a felony ("Mere recreation can kill you," New 
Attitudes, April 3).

Cases of drug abuse that bring self-destruction and harm to loved 
ones are completely insane and demonstrate that drug abuse is a 
psychological problem, not a criminal issue.

Money could be spent more efficiently by treating drug addiction, not 
punishing it.

Dale Hackler

Hackler attends the University of Georgia. 
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