The Aug. 13 article "Sakai bust puts spotlight on narcotics evil" prompts the question: Is the stimulant (kakuseizai) that actress and pop star Noriko Sakai may have inhaled equivalent to heroin and other hard drugs? The answer is obvious.
Caffeine is also a stimulant and addictive as well, yet millions imbibe coffee to kick-start their day. It isn't illegal because a nation of salaried workers and commuters would be at a loss without the brew.
Why aren't nicotine-loaded, addictive cigarettes illegal? After all, they're responsible for causing heart disease, cancer, medical bills and death. But they're not "evil" because millions puff on them. How about some consistency?
michael g. driver