415- I find myself more angry than ever at the poison pushers today... It is almost plausible to accept the quaint notion that 50+ years ago people didn't know how bad tobacco was for people, but it was just as obvious then as it is today. Our ancestors were just as intelligent as people today so it is hard to believe that addiction wasn't recognized for what it is as well, and yet big tobacco thrives... At least American society tried to outlaw alcohol, but of course that was not the answer just as the "war on drugs" hasn't made one bit of difference with illegal drug use. At least a failed attempt had been made with everything except tobacco... Of course there is way too much money to be made with the most addictive of drugs for it to ever come to that. The dog and pony shows of big tobacco executives being dragged in front of congress yielded some weak warning labels (you all remember how the warnings stopped you from using...) and not much else. The government was to get some money for anti tobacco education purposes, but that seems to me to only be used to make a few 'scare ya straight' commercials (probably produced by the governors' friends and family at 10x what it should cost but I'm a non-believer in government looking out for the peoples best interests anyway).
The only way to combat addictive drugs is through education, and we as a society squander our resources on almost anything but education. Sure there is a token amount of anti-drug education out there, but no where near enough. How can we expect one visit a year from a local police officer at a school to teach kids about drugs for an hour, and a handful of scary commercials to overcome the misinformation and propaganda that is out there? Not to mention the unwitting advertising done by ignorant users in pop culture glorifying poisons everyday. We all had role-models and people we looked up to who were addicts. How can tobacco be bad if mom and dad use it? By the time most people see the damage it does to mom and dad they are grown up and already in danger of being addicted...
I am going to try and educate somebody today if they like it or not. Maybe if we all do a little bit of educating we can save someone the pain, damage, and expense we all faced... I am so grateful for KTC. Exposing the lies, and helping people with the truth. Proud to be quit with such a group!