Using javascript to put <br> in text box?

ok. i have an application where members can leave comments on news updates.

my problem is, when a user put a return in it, it doesnt show up when posted.

ie.
user puts in…

uafslkhfasf

asasds
dasdasdasd
sad
-ahsd

it turns up as

uafslkhfasfasasdsdasdasdasdsad-ahsd

any ideas?
-Naaman