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In Reply to: and by the way posted by lydia on August 24, 2002 at 10:19:29:
Alcohol was not illegal to begin with. It was made illegal due to alcohol abuse. Of course, keeping it illegal caused huge surges in underground and organized crime and served no healthy purpose. So it was eventually legalized again. The issue is with abuse. I used to drink very heavily when in the family and then finally something happened where I would get very, very, ill every time I would drink. I thought I would die. I had already been having alcohol withdrawal when and other alcohol addiction symptoms, but did not know that was what was happening. I don't believe I am an alcoholic of the classic sort, because I quit after many problems and recognize that going back to it is self destructive. I know that if I drink even one drink it is a big red flag that I am suicidal. So the people closest to me know this. I can go to bars or to a party where alcohol is served and it does not bother me. I do not crave it. I also know that many people do drink it socially and responsibly. My oldest son drinks an occasional beer, then at parties he sometimes drinks alot, but he does not drive. He is very responsible. He is young. I think of the movie "Dead Poets Society" and think that youth is a time of experimentation and outlawing only makes it that more attractive. You made a good point about marijuana, if it were treated as it is in Holland and the harder drugs treated harshly, it shows that marijuana, is not a big deal compared to speed, heroin, crack-cocaine, etc. At the same time, more controlled use is available. Then it is not "cool", because it is not illegal. Education is of primary importance. I don't personally drink or smoke pot (because I am more anxiety prone and it affects me adversly after a small amount). But I would not see my personal problems warranting keeping it from others of age. As far as addictions go, where does it end, should fattening food be outlawed for obese people?
