Are Users Automatically Abusers Among Athletes?

I wish to to take exception to Jim Murray’s column about drug abuse. How dare he equate “recreational drug use” with “suicide?” Hasn’t Mr. Murray ever enjoyed a beer, a few drinks or a coffee and a smoke after working hours? If so, then he too is a user of “recreational drugs.” His commentary implies that anyone who has ever whiffed a line of cocaine and not regretted it has a dark soul. Not true, Mr. Murray.

I submit there are two kinds of cocaine users: one who uses over and over until the drug starts using him, and one who might accept a few gift lines at a party, stay up late, then resume a normal life without even thinking of cocaine.

I submit that the fault lies not with the drug but with the user. The drug is just an innocuous white powder that does nothing until weak and stupid individuals start abusing it.

DAN J. CURTIS

West Los Angeles