Mark Melnykowycz’s response to “Alcohol can cause many nasty side effects” (SN 4/2), was probably the stupidest thing I have ever read in this newspaper.

If Melnykowycz is actually serious about everything he said, he must think everyone who doesn’t drink is ignorant. He implies people who don’t drink or do drugs will end up like Adolf Hitler because “this gives them time to think.”

Heaven forbid people start thinking about their lives, rather than suppressing them with alcohol and drugs. Because I hardly think this will “send our world into a wild uncontrollable torrent of revolt, disorder and mayhem” as Melnykowycz claims.

Not that I need to prove this point, but I know a lot of people who don’t touch alcohol and lead very successful lives. I also know a few people who abuse alcohol and lead completely unsuccessful lives. The majority of success is definitely on the alcohol-free side. Pretending substance abuse is crucial to the world’s survival is just as asinine and ridiculous as imagining a completely substance-free world.

At least, if there is anything to be had from Melnykowycz’s letter, it would definitely be a good laugh with some friends, which is exactly what I had.

Meaghan Kall
nutritional sciences freshman