Pubdate: Tue, 07 Oct 1997
Source:	Daily Times (Salisbury MD)
Author: Robert R. Ryan

General Barry McCaffrey, President Clinton's Drug Czar, recently called parents
on the carpet for their ambivalence in the War on Drugs. Their ambivalence is
with good reason. Our government through representatives, such as Mr. McCaffrey
and his friend Mr. Califano, former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare,
are not telling the truth and they know it. For example they neglect to tell you
that most of the 100,00 people who seek treatment for marijuana are teens
responding to a court order.

I am a parent and I will no longer be ambivalent or quiet about the drug war. As
a parent of four, I am very concerned about my children health and well being.
The government in its misguided attempts to help has made this whole situation
worse. I will take care of my children. I do not want or need any of the
government's help. I am sure the parents of Ezquiel Hernandez, who was killed
by our own Marines instructed in zero tolerance, does not want any more help
from the government either.

This is a social problem, sometimes a medical one. It is not a criminal
problem. Our government's method of "solving" the drug problem has not worked,
will never work and only manages to destroy millions of people lives directly
and indirectly. Let us as parents tell our elected officials to stop this Drug
War. This Drug War reminds me of a social Vietnam, with our children as the
victims of our government's actions.

The Drug War is a failure. Initiate the end of this war on our own people
starting with the repeal of marijuana prohibition laws. Acknowledge that people
need to be responsible for their actions and the resulting consequences of their
actions. Start an open and honest dialog on how to best implement drug law
reform. I as a parent do notsupport or condone drug abuse, but what we are
doing to our children is wrong.