The mayor and drugs

There's a lot to comment on today, so let's get started.

First, this from last night's Huntington City Council meeting.

Mayor David Felinton voiced his support for the center. He said too many families in the Tri-State have been affected by drug abuse, and his is no exception.

The mayor said he used drugs recreationally with friends when he was growing up in Maryland. Part of the reason he came to Huntington was to get away from that environment, he said. His brother wasn't as fortunate.

"I've seen my own brother in and out of the legal system and rehab," Felinton said. "He was clean for four years, but three or four months ago he told my family that he was back on (drugs.)"

My first response: I don't care. What happened 10 years ago is done with.

My second response: Good for you, mayor. If you've stayed off drugs and encourage your child or children to do the same, good for you.

When I was in college, I never used illegal drugs, but they were everywhere. All kinds. I could see why so many of my friends were into them. But when I left college, I was away from the supply lines, and I had no desire or even the smallest temptation to try them.

But I don't condemn the mayor for his former drug use as long as no one else was hurt. I'd rather he have tried marijuana and gotten off it than hear that he has a couple of DUI arrests in his background. The DUIs would be far worse.