Amesh,

I have been thinking about your comment that a person has a right to do anything to his or her body. Does this simplified statement include all ages? Does it include the mentally challenged and those with temporary or long term mental illness?

I would love to see you prove all of the readers wrong. Find the funding to do a long term study of two groups. One group is allowed to do whatever they choose with their bodies over a period of twenty years. The other group refrains from alcohol, steroids, and illegal drugs. It would be interesting to see how many accidents, hospital ER visits and admissions took place, crimes, unplanned pregnancies, and support from social services resulted. I wonder which group would be more productive. You have quoted the amount of money used to fight the war on drugs to support that what we are doing presently is not working. The United States cannot be compared to any of the other countries mentioned. Our demographics and size make us unique. Our borders and ports are still permeable for those who are trying to get drugs into the country.

Here are a few questions for you.

At what age do most teenagers experience drug or alcohol use?

Have studies and CAT scans supported that the teenage brain differs from the adult brain in reasoning and impulse control?

Yes, there is emotion tied to many of the responses that you have received from your statement. It would be nice to hear from someone from the World Health Organization or DEA, but I hardly think they subscribe to the Butler Eagle.

Wishing you a blessed weekend all.