Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jan 2002
Source: Red Bluff Daily News (CA)
Copyright: 2002 Red Bluff Daily News
Contact:  http://redbluffdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1079
Author: Marvin Carnes

DRUGS EASILY COME BY DESPITE MARIJUANA RAIDS

Editor:

In the news, in letters to the editor, thousands of pot plants pulled, the 
bad Mexican cartel on the run. Politicians maneuvering for advantage over 
the credit.

OK. I don't want pot growers taking over our forests either, but I think 
somebody is overlooking the bottom line.

First, to update my own knowledge, I cornered a couple of local students 
and asked them these questions:

- - Can pot be bought in your school? Answer, with surprised laughter, Yes.

- - Is it hard to buy? More laughter, No.

- - Can students buy other drugs? Yeah, about anything they want.

If you doubt my research, you can ask almost any student and get the same 
answers, not just in Tehama County, but most anywhere in the U.S. - 
assuming you have the trust of the student.

Questions:

- - If students and people on the street can buy anything they want, what is 
the bottom line?

- - Are school stings only used to make political hay?

- - Is it really only the bad Mexican cartels where we catch no kingpins or 
is it maybe the local good ol' boys with the right insider connections who 
don't have to worry about being caught?

Now in conclusion: I know my questions are politically incorrect. I know I 
shouldn't be signing my name to this, but I guess I'll never be one of the 
insiders.

Let the fun begin.

Marvin Carnes

Gerber
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MAP posted-by: Beth