Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO) Copyright: 2004 The Springfield News-Leader Contact: http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129 Author: Marisa Jones Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n908/a01.html TRY MEDIATION, NOT INCARCERATION Meth is only addictive as, say, sports or television in that they all provide temporary escape and are available. Look around your home, your garage, your medicine cabinet to see the various escapes people use to cope, simply because they can. In the "Our View" editorial of June 22, the writer seems to have missed his own point. Indeed meth cooks and users are your neighbors, as well as your family members. You use the word "nightmare" to describe the meth lifestyle then you go on to suggest that your readers "help" by watching for characteristics of a meth house and then contact police so that the nightmare can reach new heights for the ailing family. Then you admit that narcotics officers are frustrated with failures. It would be more in keeping with biblical teachings to offer help to your neighbor, even if that help is subtle or anonymous. There is a need for meth mediators who might provide the missing link in the drug war by approaching affected families in a non-threatening, helpful way. This is not unlike the positive force seen at the freedom from meth rally this month. The meth problem also extends outward to include law enforcement, corruption and drug use as well. Marisa Jones Springfield - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin