Reply #27: Points taken, but I will say that I think one reason that some [View All]

[SeattleGirl]

(not ALL) people who make the "drinking doesn't harm anyone" argument are people who think it is okay to equate the habit with the person, i.e., smokers are sub-human; the habit is nasty so the person is nasty, etc.

I ended up working with alcoholics and their families for a number of years in treatment centers, and heard some stories that made MY childhood seem like a walk in the park. But I did not, and do not, look at them as less-than-human, or unworthy, or whatever. They are people with problems who deserve help, not being put down.

Same goes for anyone with a problem. I'm not saying someone should just hang around and be abused by exposure to cigarette smoke, or by an obnoxious drunk, or whatever. Heck, if a behavior bothers you, can't say blame anyone (including myself) for trying to get away from it. But if someone with a problem, whether it's smoking, drinking, drugging, etc. asks for help, don't smack 'em down, help 'em up!