Drugs, sex in sports are not as bad since ‘Hippy’ movement
22:42, 2008-Apr-16
Through the years, several members of the different media outlets have expressed the opinion that the “Hippy” movement caused many problems. The “Hippy” movement has been blamed for many of the drug problems we have experienced since the 1960s.
As a sports fan, it really bothers me when people blame the “Hippy” movement for many of today's problems. To be a good athlete, one must be in good physical condition. Drugs harm the health of a person and hurt the ability to play sports.
Fortunately, contrary to popular belief, society is better off than it once was with drugs and, as a result, athletes are in better condition and play better. In turn, playing sports will make the athletes even healthier. From the perspective of a sports fan, I realize the more we learn about drugs, the more exciting it will be to watch games.
Improving health and being in good condition is something I am able to appreciate because I struggle with weight problems I continue to try to fix.
It is true some “Hippies” smoked marijuana, cocaine, heroine and other physically and mentally addictive drugs. However, they did not represent the majority of rebels from the 1960s. Furthermore, we have progressed in so many ways and we have become far more educated with drugs than we once were.
Prior to the 1960s, no one knew how bad it was to smoke
cigarettes. Now, by law, there must a Surgeon General Warning on every pack of cigarettes. Second-hand smoke is no longer accepted as part of society. Smoking in many public places is outlawed in several states including Arkansas.
Just back in the 1980s, Dave Corzine, a former center for the Chicago Bulls, was known for smoking
cigarettes at halftime of basketball games. I doubt that would go over too well today.
I always knew the evils of cigarettes from the time I was a little boy because I was fortunate enough to have parents who were in the right places at the right times to know how bad smoking was. One of my parents had a relative who smoked and had a horrible time dealing with second-hand smoke in places such as the home and car. In fact, as a kid, this parent was able to buy cigarettes at the store for this relative and the store sold them without a problem. My other parent had a relative who was a doctor that explained the evils of smoking, which was not common knowledge, unlike today.
The state legislature passed a new law about smoking in most public places back in 2006. Because of that bill, smoking in most public places in Arkansas is banned. At the time, I worked in Lake Village and interviewed State Sen. Jimmy Jeffress, who used to smoke and was also instrumental in the bill. When I wrote that article, I was reminded of how far we have come in the fight against drugs.
