I totally support similar action at Deep Creek, including a ban on alcohol. Before you all start arguing, consider this....

Probably almost everybody posting here has had alcohol, a goodly number have smoked dope, and a lesser number have done a variety of drugs.

I totally believe people can do what they want to do, but the problem is alcohol and drugs affects everyone differently.

Take alcohol. I have seen people drink at Deep Creek, and I've had a little beer and wine there many times. But alcohol has a disastrous effect on some people who are afflicted by the disease of alcoholism. They basically can't handle it. Their personalities change... we've all seen it. It can manifest itself in something as simple as letting go of one's inhibitions. Or it can cause a person to turn violent.

In the 20 or so years I've been going to Deep Creek, 99% of the problems occurring there arise from a few individuals who clearly have a drinking problem. I've seen at least 10 fights -all involving someone who was drunk. I saw another guy who was obviously drunk waving a gun around and actually shooting it. Fortunately he didn't hit anybody. I've been witness to hundreds of conversations in the Womb and the other pools and the Creek that start off like any other conversation, but soon escalate into arguments all because someone can't handle their liquor. I've actually had to help about 4 people going up the trail to the Bowen Ranch who were so drunk they literally were crawling on their hands and knees up the trail.

If anything ends up closing Deep Creek, it will be because someone got hurt. And I can guarantee you alcohol or drugs will be the cause of it.

These are just my opinions and observations. I do have extensive experience with alcoholism as a disease in many of my family members as well as some of my volunteer work in the community. Keep in mind the obvious - the majority of us drink responsibly, but a few bad apples at Deep Creek have the potential to really give the government cause to close the place if anything serious happens.