[newshep]

I also agree with those who support the legalization of drugs (Makiyo et al), except I have one stipulation. It is one thing to legalize but a whole 'nother thing to promote. Thus, I would like to see drugs legalized for purposes of individual freedom but I do not want their providers (profiteers) to be allowed to advertise them. I would hate to have billboards, magazine advertisements, etc., to extoll the virtues of drugs and foster peer pressure to use them, just because they are legal. Yet, there will be those who want to promote them in order to profit from the addictions of others, with the rehab bill being charged to the government (i.e., taxpayers). Perhaps government has to be the entity that distributes and regulates them.

I also agree that steroids should be kept out of sporting competition, but if people want to otherwise ruin their bodies with them, have at it. It will be interesting to see in the next 25 or so years the outcome of steroid use upon those athletes that have used them. If they start dying off earlier than normal, there might be a backlash against their future use. But then, there'll always be someone who will take that chance anyway.