>Yeah, I lost a brother to the drugs alcohol and cocaine. He was a world class blues musician. Played with Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, Sam the Sham, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc.

Wow. I'm sorry to hear that. Amazing that he had no ability for moderation, but was so talented.

>That experience, plus having arrested mothers trying to sell their kids for crack, has given me a unique perspective on drugs. I'm not against someone having a drink, provided they are of age and don't over-indulge. I am against someone taking drugs for recreational purposes though, they have wrought havoc on our country and continue to do so. I am amazed that people who are supposedly so smart turn to drugs for fun. I get high on life; hunting, fishing, hiking in the Rocky Mountains, hanging with my family and such. Drugs can't compare.

Like you, life's too much fun to chemically alter it. Sure, moderate social/recreational drinking is one thing--nothin' better on a hot day than a cold beer or a margarita! If I keep from behind a wheel, the worst I'll have is a hangover the next morning.

Drugs scare me, though. It doesn't take much to OD, and since they're not controlled, who knows what you're really taking. But obviously banning the stuff doesn't work--it even makes it more desireable to those who don't think real life is as much fun as the chemically altered version. So maybe it *is* better to legalize drugs (or maybe only a few that are less likely to cause instant death), then the quality can be controlled, and even with a steep tax on it, it might be a lot cheaper than the illegal prices (no more need to steal to support your habit). The taxes can then go back to the schools, so we can put back all those supposedly non-academic courses (art, sports other than basketball and football, and other enrichment activities) that have been dropped due to funding, and show kids how to *really* live life. Drug crime goes *way* down. Drug deaths and illness go way up, as a many people over-indulge in the newly legalized hobby, but only for a few years--once the thrill of the chase (obtaining the illegal drugs) is gone, and it's *tolerated* (not necessarily condoned by everyone, but at least it's legal), will it be as much fun for the next generation to get high?

I wish drug bans would work. Obviously, they don't. But legalizing it gives the VERY SCARY prospect of someday going to the pharmacy or grocery store with my kids and seeing that they can get all the cocaine, heroin, or crack they want. And that's likely why we'll never see legalization. Personally, I'll educate my kids about the dangers of drugs (and alcohol and tobacco)--but we can't count on every parent to do the same. But if kids really want to do drugs, they'll do them even if it's illegal. May as well make it as safe as possible.

- della