opinion
QLiS_
Drug-related woes
Those who believe drug-abuse problems lie more in the
realm of social, rather than legal, concerns probably share our
dismay over recent reports on the Drug Information Center’s
financial difficulties.
Founded in 1972 with money from the ASUO and still af
filiated with the University Health Education department, the DIC
faces possible closure within months because of inadequate
funding.
That’s an old tune for social-aid agencies and, in these
parsimonious days of the revolting taxpayer, one that’s becom
ing as omnipresent as Muzaked Christmas jingles in shopping
malls.
Closure or severe cutbacks in DIC operations, would end
the innovative educational programs initiated by DIC founder
and program director Mark Miller. Those programs directed
toward students and community groups concentrate on the ef
fects and potential dangers of various drugs rather than general
and moralizing admonitions against dabbling in recreational
chemical consumption.
The DIC staffs common-sense acknowledgement that
these are difficult times to obtain public funding for the kind of
program they have and their willingness to find private sources
to continue their efforts merit our whole-hearted commendation.
The results of DIC's program — generally a public better in
formed about drug (ab)use merit our support.
Unfortunately, few Emerald readers will find themselves in
the position to accommodate the DIC proposal of tax-deductible
donations in the $500-$1,000 range, although they might know
of willing parents.
However, as Miller has remarked, anything will help. Per
sons interested in making donations or offering other assistance
may contact the DIC at 1763 Moss St., 686-5411.
Parks for people
Reprinted from (Salem) Capital Journal
After a decade of seemingly fruitless debate, the Na
tional Park Service has agreed to a plan that would reduce
overcrowding in Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite is one of the nation’s, and California’s, most
spectacular parks.
The plan provides that most cars will be left at the en
trance to the magnificent park in the Sierra, thereby reduc
ing significantly the bumper-to-bumper vehicle traffic that
now diminishes the pleasure of visiting Yosemite.
Shuttle buses will be used instead of private cars to
transport people around the narrow valley. In addition, all of
the creature comforts allowed to develop through the years
— swimming pods, beauty parlors and the like — will be
removed. We wonder why they ever were allowed to be
constructed, and we re delighted they're on their way out.
We urge the park service to consider using a similar
system as a way to reducing or eliminating traffic tangles on
the road to the Oregon Caves in Southwestern Oregon.
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tMOCmilHlS WHILE YXJCAM — — (DMES THE DEEP DEPRESSION, WELL BE LOOKING mX ON
these as ihe good old days.1'
During the summer months, visitors flock to the caves,
which are located high in the mountains. Most find to their
dismay that the tiny parking tot already is jammed with cars
and the winding road is lined with vehicles. Engines often
overheat — about as frequently as the tempers of the
travelers — and all without good reason.
Shuttle buses to haul visitors to and from the caves would
cool both tempers and engines and make visiting the caves
a more enjoyable experience.
Likes ‘old’ look
Reprinted from the Medford Mail Tribune
Of all the admirable women in public life we have seen
and observed over the years, Mrs. Betty Ford ranks near
the top.
Her candor, her courage, her poise and grace, her es
sential good sense, have endeared her to us (at a distance)
as they have many others.
When, recently, she decided to have a facelift, we
thought it entirely in character, as she went through with the
plan even though not all of her family approved. Such
cosmetic surgery is not at all unusual for a woman of her
age.
The result, however, we were sorry to note, was not all
that it might have been. In the process of erasing the
wrinkles and sags, the skilled surgeon also removed some
of the evidences of character that show so clearly on the
face of a person who has lived a full and energetic life; signs
of humor and suffering and loving that make the faces of
older people, in so many instances, so much more interest
ing than the fresh, bright, but unmarked faces of youth.
Yes — she came out of the operation with a ' pretty” face,
but one bereft of visible marks of a full life well lived.
We certainly do not begrudge her wanting to have it
done, particularly if it helps her in her courageous fight
against drugs and alcohol. But we cannot avoid a sense of
loss when we see pictures of that pretty face, and compare
them in our mind's eye with the beautiful facial lines of a
woman aging gracefully that were there before.
We are reminded of the words of Kahlil Gibran, “Beauty
is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror.” Perhaps it is that
concept that we miss in pictures of the “new” Betty Ford.
yqjrs_
To the Editor;
We at Gay People's Alliance are
pleased with the quality of the
Emerald's coverage of our program
and recent coverage of events relev
ant to the gay community. I would,
however, like to make one clarifica
tion.
The nation's gays, while deeply
stricken by the death of (San Fran
cisco Supervisor) Harvey MHk, are far
from leaderless. Milk was an out
standing example to gay people
everywhere (and to socially commit
ted non-gays, for that matter), but his
death leaves us determined to carry
on the struggle of which he was a
part. We are not immobilized.
In a society in which we are not
fully accepted and in which we must
continually fight to be treated fairly,
each lesbian and each gay man is Ns
or her own leader. It is the energy and
action of many thousands of indi
viduals which moves us toward our
S03*8- Carol Queen
Qay People's Alliance
AJOP TH€ k)6m