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 - --- MAP posted-by: Beth