The Path

By: L.F. Combs

Everyday we are bombarded with information on drugs, and what can happen when you take illegal drugs. Our children are preached to about the evils of gateway drugs that when used open the doors to other more dangerous drugs. The drug Oxycotin, and other drugs have plagued the county causing deaths, imprisonment, and stealing all over the area. The reasons for people turning to drugs to take away their problems are a numerous, and varied as the personalities of the citizens of Perry County, but the gateway to these problems is well known. A drug has been known to open the door to the use of harder more addictive drugs. This gateway is something Kentucky is well known for producing this drug, and some would say it is one of the biggest industries in the state. Why is this drug so manipulative in it’s ability to snare people especially the youth of the state? They see it everywhere, their parents, and other family members use this drug to celebrate, and unwind from a days work.  The mixed messages that are flowing through the media that the medical benefits of the drug, and in the same sentence telling of the addictive properties for some people. A daily dose of media promotions of this drug, the movies telling the children and others that it isn’t that bad. Church groups, government agencies, out reach programs all have tried to prohibit the distribution of this drug. Now I know that many are thinking that I am going to attack Marijuana. If you think this you are not correct I am talking about the only legal drug that is abused, and has killed more people on a daily basis than any other substance known to man. Alcohol the magical fluid that has been part of society since the early days of the country, and in fact has been with the world since ancient times a drug so old it is mentioned in the Bible. Now if Marijuana is the gateway drug then alcohol is the path to the gate. So many criticize the wonder weed yet they go home to pop the top on a beer all the while preaching about the problems of the county. The nation has never learned the lessons of prohibition we are still foolishly fighting to stop human beings from themselves, and the evils of drugs. We spend millions daily on the eradication of all drugs considered to be evil in the eyes of some. I am not advocating the use of drugs nor am I going to say that it is evil that to me is up to the idiot that is trying to run from the world. I am just saying why spend millions on this war when we have seen no real results from prohibition? Frankly I have noticed more benefits from the use of treatment programs, and state monitoring of drugs like alcohol. Wouldn’t it make more since to allow for those that wish to use a substance be treated by a doctor to allow for safer use of said substance? Wouldn’t it make more since to not turn a substance into something that is a taboo, and make it appear more desirable to the young? You are not going to stop the use of drugs there has never been a drug free society not a single example in the history of the world. It’s time the area stopped wasting money on prohibition it doesn’t work learn from history. Closing your eyes and saying where a little better off than we were a few years back is stupid. Open your eyes, and learn from history.