Our letters
section and your opportunity to weigh in and be heard. Send
us your thoughts and profundities. You can contact us here.
Protecting us from ourselves
Dear Editors,
The March 31 edition of the paper contained an article on the intensity of drug trafficking in our area. I found the
article to be problematic;youseem to bepraising the workof the Southwest Drug Task Force in this area.Praise is the
last thing they deserve. The Feds "war on drugs" has been a drain on the economy nationally and locally, not to
mention a complete disaster. Those who work for these shady organizationssay that there is a drug problem in town
andour children's futures are at stake, but is that the case? Are they actually trying to help or are they the ones
with a drug addiction?
I am not in any way condoning the use of drugs soft or hard, but a close and objective look atthe amount of money put
into fighting drugs in this town isamazing,as the county, or the nation for thatmatter,has not seen a reduction of
drug use among teen-agers.Several studies have been done on thepositive effects ofthe D.A.R.E. program(drum roll
please), the data revealed that childrenwho were not exposed to D.A.R.E. programs were less likely to use drugs than
those who hadcompleted the program. Ourgovernment is far more interested in giving teens guns to fight in Iraqthan
books because of the HigherEducation Act: the act bars students with any felony drug conviction from getting federal
assistance, not rapists or arsonists or convicted murders.
Now the mighty DRUG TASK FORCE has stopped the eviland dangerous Still Smokin' from providing productswhichmore
locals were buying and using than are willing toadmit.I personally want to thank them for their hard work and
dedication.It's hard workprotecting us from ourselves, godonly knows what this town wouldlook like if they were
permitted to operate in a free market economy.
I feel thatany article on this subjectI have seenlacks this very important keyissue, the fact that the underground
drug culture and market violence is created by the laws that the drug Task Force enforces. The Task Force increases
the risk and the profit from the drug tradecreating far more crime throughtheir brand of enforcement than
throughattempts at harm reduction or education. What this country needs is to free itself from the idea that might
makes right and stop arresting and jailing drug users. Like prohibition in the 1920s, the modern war on vice has
failedand shows absolutely no sign of reaching any of the projected goals of an alcohol/drug free nation.
People were frequenting the establishment, for that same reason there was no community outcry against the smoke shop
being open,except from those getting bored sitting in the SWDTF offices.
Now I begin to wonder if the local grocery store or gas station is going to be forced to stop selling rolling papers
orgive me a piss test next time I want a lighterbecause they may or may not be used for legitimate purposes.
Help get your local NORML chapter off the ground and support your rights!
- Spencer Fuller,
Durango
The reality of the Shiavo case
To the Editors:
The frightening reality of the Terri Shiavo case is that her eating disorder put her into a vegetative state - and
that many women (and men) are at risk of the same fate. Due to her eating disorder, Terry Shiavo disrupted her body's
chemistry to such an extent that her heart stopped, which decreased blood flow to her brain, resulting in brain
damage.
We, as firm believers in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, feel that we need to shed light on the
severity and prevalence of eating disorders in our society. The lesson we can learn from Terri Shiavo is not only
what determines a quality life, but also, the reality that eating disorders can lead to death. As members of the
Durango community and the world at large, we feel that this is a time for everyone to take action. Eating disorders
are prevalent all around you - men and women are both affected. Be aware - disordered eating comes in numerous forms,
and all have the potential to be life threatening. Please educate yourself. It is the only way we can stop this
epidemic.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with an eating disorder, please reach out - you are not alone. Visit
www.somethingfishy.org and utilize our community
resources.
