
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 6, 1993                   TAG: 9308060330
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ROOT OF PROBLEM IS IN THE BOTTLE

I READ Laurence Hammack's recent article on killers. He made one profound statement: "go to the root of the problem." He then fails to identify the root in thinking it is the car. The car is an innocent object.

You may take away one's car keys and his car, but they will find Mom's car or someone else's.

Let's really get to the root of the problem. It is the bottle of whiskey or beer. But can we ever get rid of the real killer on the road or in the home? I think not, because everyone loves it too well - lawmakers, law enforcers and government are all guilty. The profit made from this demon will continue to win out.

If we knew Roanoke was infested with rattlesnakes and killing people right and left, we would set about to destroy them. When it comes to whiskey and beer, we only want to put a band-aid on the problem.

Many people hooked on this substance are wonderful, loving, beautiful people, but are enticed to buy and drink because it is deliberately placed and displayed in their path.

Our government needs to get out of the whiskey business; our grocery stores need to get out of the beer business.

We know the root cause and shouldn't try to cover it up. Who's guilty? If I drink it, I am.

ZELDA WOODSON\ ROANOKE

by CNB