While reading the "Reader Comments" to a Gazette article several weeks ago I came across a discussion containing numerous statements made by people concerning the war on drugs and their belief that marijuana, and according to some, all drugs should be legalized. The topic is one I've given much thought to since my daughter just entered public schools. I posted my thoughts in response.

I repeat them here in part because I'm curious what those in the community feel about the drug problem and how should we teach our children the dangers? As a parent it's a serious matter of concern to me as I believe a serious matter to all parents.

Those that may have read the comments that day may notice that I've omitted a significant part of it, specifically my views concerning the legalization of marijuana, one of the primary topics of that day. I omit it because my views on that particular matter are influenced in no small part due to my upbringing during the late '60s and '70s in the beach community of Galveston, Texas. As you might well imagine those of us there during that time were exposed to more than our fair share of the "hippie movement" and as such my opinion is likely biased. I'll say only that I do not condone its use but I believe the matter may warrant further consideration by society as there appears to be definite pros and cons to its legalization.

There were many readers that suggested a complete legalization of all drugs. My reply follows:

"Despite my unwavering support of personal freedoms and steadfast opposition to a nanny-government I do not support such and question the intelligence of those who do. There are drugs out there that are simply too damaging both to the user and to society as whole.

By doing so we would run the risk of showing an implied consent to our youth, something the alcohol and tobacco industries have capitalized on for years, and we could inadvertently condone their use of these drugs by legalizing them.

I further believe these harder drugs should and could be eradicated from most of society if the youth of today are exposed to the true price paid by the users rather than the medicated socially-acceptable versions that they are shown today in our schools.

Show them the 12 year-old prostituting herself on the street to pay for her habit, the corpse of a user found deceased in an alley from an overdose, and perhaps even more poignant, show them someone experiencing the true pains of narcotic withdrawal and show them these things while they are young, very young, arguably as young as 5 or 6."

Others stated opposing responses as did an acquaintance of mine, a practicing therapist who I contacted for advice on the topic. He countered that "...exposing children at so young an age to these horrible images whether on film or in person could cause irreparable harm and likely result in them suffering from nightmares and fears."

I don't know the answer but I do know that parents face a daunting task for the advice provided them on how to broach the subject with their children varies significantly.

Personally, and I say this as a father, I believe we should scare them and scare them good when they're young and still impressionable for in a few years our words, like those of the sanitized films, will have little or no meaning. I'll help my child work through any nightmares or the need to "talk it out" if that is what it takes to make darn sure she knows the dangers.

In closing I would add that a recent Department of Justice study suggests than in many of our larger cities it is estimated that up to 33% of all drug-addicted offenders arrested for prostitution were under the age of 18 and in some cases as young as 11 and doing so to support their habits.

As difficult as that may be to imagine and as awful as the mere thought of such is, it is a reality and we must deal with it in the best way possible.

Do we scare them? Do we postpone the discussion until they're older? Do we simply hope they're smarter than that? Do we trust our schools to educate them on the topic sufficiently? Tough questions indeed and the scary part of it is our children's lives may depend upon our decisions.