Collegian (Hurst, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 28, 1990 Page: 3 of 15
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Collegian / 3
Wednesday, February 28,1990
Opinion
Editorial: Drug war priorities need direction
By William Stewart
District News Editor
Tobacco — 346,000
Alcohol —125,000
Alcohol/Drugs — 4,000
Heroin/Morphine — 4,000
Cocaine — 2,000
Surprised by these death statistics
from the Surgeon’s General Office, the
National Institution of Alcoholism and Al-
cohol Abuse and the Drug Abuse Warning
Network?
Well, you should be.
After hearing from the mainstream
media about crazed psychotic youth on
crack and the epidemic of babies born
addicted to cocaine, an observer would
think that a full-scale drug war with the
druggies on one side and the anti-druggies
on the other side has erupted in the streets
of America.
But the realities of the problems, as
the statistics show, paints another picture
— the homicidal cynical business prac-
tices of American big business.
But the owners of the companies are
not the only ones guilty.
From the upper-level management
down to the farmers who grow tobacco, all
individuals involved in the sale and use of
the drug are guilty. The same goes for
alcohol.
But that is legal, so who cares.
Next question — with more than a
Maybe the priorities are in
the wrong place. As the statis-
tics show, over 60 times more
people die from alcoholorcigar-
retes than drugs: We need a war
on the legal drugs.
quarter of a billion people in America, why
are the statistics from illegal substances
deaths so tiny, and more importantly why
does no one declare war on alcohol and
ciggarettes, which cause more death?
Combined, the two legal substances
kill more than 450,000 people a year in the
nation.
But you don’t see President Bush or
any Congressman declaring war on ciga-
rettes or alcohol.
Only through the efforts of various
pressure groups and former Surgeon
General C. Everet Koop have any educa-
tional programs begun.
Maybe the priorities are in the wrong
place. As the statistics show, over 60
times more people die from alcohol or
cigaretes than drugs: We need a war on
the legal drugs.
MAILBOX
To the Editor:
I have been severely disappointed in our college
newspaper this year. This is the year that we elect new
state representatives and a new governor as well as other
local officials.
I think the Collegian should strive to inform TCJC
students about the candidates, issues and where the
candidates stand in regard to those issues.
The Collegian is contributing to voter apathy if it does
not strive to inform its readers about these elections.
Karen Meyer
To the Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to give my thanks
to a group of people who have been of great service to me
every time I have needed them.
These people are always very professional in their
job and they are always very friendly. They are quick and
efficient and know what they are doing.
I have had several teachers tell me all about these
people, but I have never really thought much about them
until I needed them. They have always been there for me.
As human beings it is, unfortunately, natural for us to
take those everyday helpful things for granted. I know I
did. That is why I want to say “Thank you very, very much
to those people who assist me whenever I ask.
These wonderfu I people can do the same for you too
if you let them.
These wonderful people are the Walsh Library staff
at NW Campus.
Shane K. Pilgrim
To the Editor:
In the Feb. 14 issue of the Collegian, Trey Holcomb
had an item called Etcetera Dept, in his column, the
Informer.
Now as a former journalism major, I must ask a
question. Was this an editorial comment or what?
If so, it should have appeared on page three, not in
a column.
Mr. Holcomb certainly has the right to express his
opinion on this issue, but not to repeat hearsay from Time
Magazine as "gospel truth."
Enclosed for his edification is a reprint from the
American Rifleman which gives a little different view to the
half-truths, distortions and lies put out by the anti-gun, left-
wing, liberal media.
Please, in the future, let's put editorial comments
where they belong.
Ben Head
South Campus Instructional Media
From the Editor:
As aformer journalism major, Mr. Head should know
that a column is an expression of opinion.
As well, pages two and three in the Collegian are
devoted to opinion, as the page heads clearly state.
To the Editor:
Handguns don't kill people; ignorance kills people.
I grew up in a household with guns. I was always
intrigued by them, but I did not shoot myself or anyone
else, on purpose or by accident. I knew better because
my parents educated me.
They were strange that way -- we always talked to
each other about important things. So when the time
came for me to have my own firearm, I had knowledge and
respect for it, and I was taught how to use it safely and
responsibly before I was allowed to take possession of it.
I am a single female, living alone, and I have expe-
riences enough to have good reason to keep a weapon.
On two separate occasions, in two separate areas of
this city (the H.E.B. area), pairs of men I did not know have
beaten violently on my door and verbally threatened me,
demanding to be let in.
One climbed a second-floor balcony and beat on my
sliding glass door.
These men were not making social calls. Had I not
been armed and ready on the other side of those doors in
the event of an actual break-in (Read your newspapers,
not every violent stranger goes away.), I would have been
maimed, raped or killed.
And if l am not armed with a legal weapon in the
future, I will be helpless. The odds are it will happen again,
several times, in my lifetime. It will happen to you, too,
eventually.
Check your statistics; better yet, read that obscure
column in your local newspaper -- the one set in fine print
-- describing police calls for the week.
Tell me how many street names you recognize. Tell
me you knew it was happening. Now tell me it won't
happen to you.
And when it does, and if your attacker uses afirearm,
it will almost surely be an illegal one -- the kind most
assailants use now. The kind the government cannot
control. The kind that kill you if you cannot defend
yourself.
No one can keep guns out of the wrong hands.
Criminals do not follow nice little government regulations,
like owning only legally approved weapons with papers
and serial numbers and such, and not like breaking into
peoples' homes and doing them harm. This is what makes
them criminals.
Let's just make sure we keep guns in the right hands
- and make sure those hands know what they are doing.
Pam Blocker
To the Editor:
With the March 13 Republican primary drawing near,
it is time to consider our choices. After hearing all the
candidates debate, and after reading their views, I believe
Jack Rains is the best candidate for Governor of Texas.
Jack Rains will not embarrass Texans. He presents
himself as the poised professional he is, and when Jack
Rains speaks, his education and experience actually
show. A refreshing change, I must say.
The stance Jack Rains has taken on the issues of
this campaign won him my vote.
His approach to the crime problem in Texas shows
common sense, another attribute that I must say is re-
freshing to me.
Rains says by attacking the "root causes" of crime,
such as illiteracy and drug abuse, the overall problems of
Texas' criminal justice system can be solved.
I strongly agree with Mr. Rains. The methods he has
proposed to bring about the necessary changes actually
make sense.
Jack Rains is a results-oriented man who achieves
what he sets out to do.
It is a proven fact that Jack Rains can create new jobs
and bring in billions of dollars in new investments.
I hope he has the opportunity as the Governor of
Texas to prove that Texas education can be the best in the
world and that his solution to the crime problem is a
workable one.
Julie Norman
To the Editor:
The choice for Texas' next governor is clear.
Texas needs a governor with foresight, innovative
ideas and the ability to make things happen.
Informed voters believe Tom Luce is that choice.
With an impressive recordof facing a problem straight
on and developing real solutions, Tom Luce has set a high
standard of accomplishment and proven results.
Tom Luce attacked the drug problem in 1981. The
result - tougher drug laws.
He was a leader in 1984 of education reform. The
result - no pass/no play, better teacher pay and teacher
competency testing.
He fought in 1989 for Congress' funding approval for
the Superconducting Super Collider. The result -- a
project of profound economic benefit to Texas.
Tom Luce wants the opportunity as governor to do
even more for Texas.
His "zero tolerance drug plan" means the death
penalty for drug dealers who sell drugs resulting in death
of our children. He wiil put drug and alcohol rehabilitation
programs in all prisons. His "10-year education plan"
advocates sweeping reform in funding for more local
control and giving teachers more control of programs and
less paperwork.
T exas needs well thought out plans for the future and
innovative, workable answers for today. Texas needs a
governor with the proven ability to get results.
Texas needs Tom Luce. He will be a great governor
for Texas.
Tookie Scherder
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Collegian (Hurst, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 28, 1990, newspaper, February 28, 1990; Hurst, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1183811/m1/3/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Tarrant County College NE, Heritage Room.