Pubdate: Sat, 27 May 2000
Source: Daily Times, The (MD)
Copyright: 2000 The Daily Times
Contact:  (410) 749-7290
Author: Jeanne Webster Abbott

WE NEED TO STOP MURDERING OF OUR YOUTH

RE: "No such thing as a dry Island," May 21

Dion Bozman is one of the main reasons I subscribe to the Daily Times,
mostly because I like his "matter of fact" attitude and the fact he
gives the truth, whether it is popular or not. "No such thing as a dry
island" is so very true. We will stand against the sale so we can say
"We live on a Dry Island."

People, wake up! What does that have to do with the use of alcohol on
your islands?

I, too, live on an island, (ahem, Deal Island), and presently we are,
too, a "dry" island -- dry in the sense of sales, certainly not "dry"
by definition of "use." I question if per capita we have more
alcoholics than those communities that sell it. (Of course in Deal
Island, you can just cross the bridge and buy it by the cases.) We
have Alcoholics Anonymous meetings weekly at the Deal Island Fire
Hall, led by my very good friend and citizen.

I will never discount the importance of AA and applaud ~ose who give
of their time.

This issue of selling or using alcohol is one's personal and moral
decision since it is legal to use if one is of age. But daily in Deal
Island, I see users and sellers of illegal drugs, and a friend of mine
informs me this is true also on Smith Island. One can call the
Somerset County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, or even the
governor's office, yet the sale and use of illegal drugs goes on and
on.

What do you ever hear happening to the sellers or users of drugs in
Deal Island? Or Smith Island, or wherever? What is being done about
the "illegal" destruction of brains in our fishing villages? Well,
when you talk to our sheriff, he says: "We try" I am not on a personal
campaign against our sheriff, for it is no different with any law
enforcement agency And some excuses may seem justified, for the courts
spank their hands and send the users and sellers home, for the jails
won't hold them.

Therefore, what are we to do on these small islands to stop the drugs
before they affect our grandchildren? I have an idea that will
probably give me free Lodging. If the law cannot or will not take
action and rid our island of the drug sellers or users, than we could
Load our guns, sit to the "spots" in the late evening or early morning
or even during the mid-day and "take out" the sellers and buyers.

That would give me free lodging, I could complete the requirements for
my college degree and the state would have to take care of my
paralyzed husband. Then some other citizen could take my position
while I am getting educated and living free.

Oh, one would say that sounds ignorant, or vigilante.

Well, will someone intelligent tell me what I can do? I tried the law
and their way With other family members, and we received no help, but
I will tell you the one that sells to my grandchildren had better get
prayed up with the creator, as I will take them to God's judgment bar.

We locals certainly do strain at a knat and swallow the horseflies or
camels. Considering one hellbound-for-doubling woman decided to fight
and had prayer removed from schools, then I can make some difference
in the drug war, especially on our little island.

Advice -- if you want to use or sell drugs, move off this
island.

I am sick of you low-life murdering thieves of our
youths.

If you have the time to join in my fight
to remove drugs from Deal Island or if
you even give a darn, give me a call. My
number is in the phone book.

Jeanne Webster Abbott 
Deal Island
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