Pubdate: Tue, 16 Sep 2003
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2003 East Valley Tribune.
Contact:  http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708
Author: Kelley Kimble

METH - A MONSTROUS SOCIAL PROBLEM

So, prosecutors are using the Patriot Act to add teeth to the prosecution 
of pipe bombers and meth cooks.  And this is a bad thing?

People who make pipe bombs and manufacture methamphetamines are a threat to 
the safety and sanity of the country as a whole.  I can't bring myself to 
feel sorry for them.  Methamphetamine use is the least talked about problem 
in this valley.

It is lurking behind much of the violence being reported in the media, yet 
nobody wants to acknowledge it.  It's the elephant in the room; let's admit 
the magnitude of  the problem  and give law enforcement the tools to get 
these people off the streets and  make it riskier for those who would 
engage in it.

People who want to give up on the war on drugs have never had a kid strung 
out on this stuff, and people who manufacture and sell it should go to 
prison for a very long time.  Unfortunately, they are turned loose to 
frequently and much too soon.

Kelley Kimble
Apachie Junction
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MAP posted-by: Beth