Editor, Daily Nexus,

I am writing in response to David Rabie’s poorly thought out column (“Students Cheat on Exams With Drugs,” Daily Nexus, April 9). The first issue I have with it is that Rabie implies that people who use drugs as study aids are cheaters. This is false. A cheater is someone who violates rules and regulations, or takes an examination or test in a dishonest way, as by improper access to answers. Since there are no rules stating that you can’t use drugs as study aids, I don’t think it is cheating. Yes, there is a law that makes taking drugs without a prescription illegal, but this means that so-called “cheaters” are actually just criminals.

Next issue: Rabie states that, “The first step we must take, from students to teachers, is to publicize the problem.” So what is the last step to fixing the problem? Mandatory drug testing for all students before finals week? Is this how we can police the use of these drugs? There really is no effective way to keep people from ingesting drugs. This is the reason why the prohibition of alcohol failed, why the war on drugs is failing and why efforts on the part of UCSB to prevent people from using stimulants would also fail.

The worst part of the column hinges on Rabie’s assertion that it isn’t fair that some people use these drugs to enhance their performance. Well, boohoo! I don’t think it is fair that some people get their entire education paid for and spend their time and money on tutors while other students work during finals week to pay for their educations. I don’t think it’s fair that some people have the time and the resources to write for a student newspaper while others are worrying about how they are going to eat, escape genocide or dodge the next bullet that flies past their head. Apparently Rabie didn’t learn that life isn’t fair.

Word to the wise: Instead of plotting to tear other people down to your level, why don’t you spend your time thinking of how you can build yourself up above the rest.