Pubdate: Thu, 30 Jan 2003
Source: Montgomery Advertiser (AL)
Copyright: 2003sThe Advertiser Co.
Contact:  http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1088
Author: Carl L. Hess

MARIJUANA FLIGHTS UNWISE EXPENSE

The story "Airborne troopers go high-tech" tells us state troopers have 
flown more than 10,000 hours in the past few years looking for marijuana 
plants. Folks, we are talking about a state where little kids have to take 
their own toilet tissue to school, prisons are overcrowded, schools are 
facing severe cuts, and we have less than half the needed number of 
troopers on our highways.

Does the average citizen have any idea what it costs to operate a 
helicopter for an hour? I have been flying helicopters more than 40 years 
and I can tell you it's not cheap. Any reputable law enforcement officer 
will tell you that alcohol is the most expensive, harmful drug used in 
America, causing more suffering and death than all other drugs combined.

We need to bring some common sense into our state and get some priorities 
in order. Providing expensive aircraft so a few state employees can have 
some fun at taxpayer expense should be way down on our priority list.

Carl L. Hess Ozark
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom