EDITORIAL Legalize peyote use of Native Americans Native Americans have used peyote in religious rit uals for centuries. There are no valid reasons why it should be Illegal for them to continue to do so. . The main problem, as it has been in this country since the white man conquered it, is the law. Riding a bastion of righteousness, a country was bom that included in its basic creed the freedom of re ligion. Hut freedom of religion apparently applies only to those who make the taws. A-couple of years ago two Native American men were employed in a government-sponsored counseling program. After admitting to using peyote in religious ceremonies, the men were fired. The Oregon case went to the Supreme Court. The high court said it was up to individual states to decide the issue for themselves. The use of peyote is currently illegal in Oregon un der any circumstances, Bui 24 states allow the use of peyote by Native Americans under exemptions in state law Oregon should follow suit. The United States’ two main legal drugs, alcohol and tobacco, kill more people combined each year than all illegal drugs combined. Although 25,000 people die from drinking alcohol and driving each year, and another 200.000 die alco hol-related deaths from cirrhosis and other ailments, millions are careful about alcohol use. Drugs can be used responsibly. Native Americans used peyote long before white people even knew what it was. They use it safely. The newspapers aren’t full of headlines of people dying from peyote overdoses. The issue comes with ramifications. Other reli gious groups want to use drugs in ceremonies. Let cor porate America jump on the bandwagon and we will hear slogans like “Peyote tastes good like a cactus-bud should.” The only solution is to exempt Native Americans from the current peyote laws. The government certain ly has better things to do than harass Native Americans and their use of peyote. Realistically, in a state that can't finance its own school system adequately, is Oregon ready to put law enforcement money into busting religious rituals? Not much is sacred in the United States these days. Oregon should keep ancient Native American customs out of the rule books. Oregon DAILY EMERALD M) Hot «|<*. Incrrn. OrtgMH'Tttl The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday eicept during e*am week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co at the University of Oregon. Eugene. Oregon The Emerald is operated independently of the University with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union and is a member of the Associated Press The Emerald is private property The unlawful removal or use of papers is pros ecu table by law Editor Alice Wheeler Managing Editor Christopher BUir Editorial Editor Hob Ward Pointer Editor Joa Kidd Graphics Editor Sean Poston N#w» Editor Chris Bouneff Editorial Editor Pat Maiach Sport* Editor Ashtey Conklin Entartainmant Editor Layna lafcefish nigni toivor uon rciers Aiiocialt Editors Community Don Paters Studont Government/Activitiet Cat haring Hawley Higher Edocation/Admmistratlon Peter Cogswell Faaluras Stacy tvia Reporters Tammy Batey Brian Bloch. Rene De Cair Carrte Dennett Paul Mor gan. Cathy Peterson Ming Rodriques June Russell Daralyn Trappe. Robert We bar Photographer Vinca Ram»ere