I just bought a new bike with drop bars. I know, not necessarily an option for many, but then I had the versatillity of two bikes. Otherwise I would go for the trekking bar or mondo bar ends.
As for the why, set it up so that the drops are at or just above your lowest comfort limit, then you won't mind using them. If you go all "racer-boy" low on the handle bar, then the drops might be too far out of your comfort range. I find a bike set up where the drops are comfortable are a wonderful thing when facing a raging headwind.