Pubdate: Tue, 04 Jun 2002 Source: Tennessean, The (TN) Copyright: 2002 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 Author: Jean Binkley ROOT CAUSE OF DRUG ABUSE NEEDS ANALYZING To the Editor: The Tennessean published a story May 30 in which Charlie Chase identified drugs as part of the "root cause" of his teen-aged son's criminal activities. I agree and sympathize with him, so let's analyze the "root cause" of drug use itself. Our police department apparently does an admirable job of apprehending drug dealers and users, but our revolving door criminal justice (or sympathy?) system renders their efforts meaningless. The sentences that drug pushers receive should be severe and fully served yet, in reality, they are neither. Keeping these predators off the streets would prevent them from seeking out and exploiting any new prey. As for habitual drug users, how can they be motivated to get off drugs when the courts are so consistently lenient with them? As it now stands, addicts have no incentive to change. We have clearly lost the war on drugs, so let's add up the casualties. How many injuries and deaths have been caused by drug-impaired drivers? How many people have been injured or killed during home and business robberies which were committed by addicts desperate for drug money? How much extra are we all paying for medical insurance to cover the cost of those confined to a drug treatment facility? How many families are dealing with physical violence and/or financial devastation brought about by drug abuse? How many children are being neglected right now because they have drug addicted parents? How many more children are currently in foster care for the same reasons? How many more reasons do any of us need to get involved and start demanding that the people who legislate, interpret, or enforce our laws join together to combat this drug problem which has inflicted so much misery on so many families? Jean Binkley Mt. Juliet 37122 - --- MAP posted-by: Alex