Pubdate: Sun, 27 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: Ron Manning Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n934/a09.html USING ILLEGAL DRUGS LEADS TO MORE CRIME Re: "Try mediation, not incarceration," June 25 Readers' Letters. There are times when I'm amazed at the naivete of people who fail to understand the meaning of physical and/or emotional addictions. Neither do they understand addiction. Narcotics such as amphetamines, methamphetamines and various opiates are both physically and emotionally addictive. They greatly lessen a person's ability to function properly in the workplace. This leads to loss of legal income. The continued use of non-prescribed drugs then leads to the commission of other crimes. Additionally they lessen the user's ability to think and react. Who wants a person high on drugs or alcohol driving a motor vehicle? The writer apparently links the use of methamphetamines with those who love to watch sports or soap operas on TV. Although I don't watch soap operas, I know that watching sports does not drive a person to commit felonious crimes. Ask any trained professional law enforcement officer about the high number of felony crimes they are aware of or investigated where the perpetrator was attempting to get money to buy narcotics. This includes robbery, burglary, forgery, etc. Certainly biblical principles teach us to help our neighbor, but it presupposes that the neighbor desires and accepts our help. Likewise, biblical principles repeatedly mention the punishment of those who commit crimes. Remember the two thieves who were crucified beside Jesus? Ron Manning, Springfield - --- MAP posted-by: Josh