Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jan 2005
Source: Salem News (MA)
Copyright: 2005 Essex County Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.salemnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3466
Author: Christopher A. Pizzo
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n042/a05.html

How do we address the drug epidemic?

TIGHTER BORDER SECURITY

Because drugs play a major role in society today, I believe there are
numerous things we can do to get the drug epidemic under control.

We should have tighter security on the U.S. borders. After all, don't a lot
of drugs come from other countries? If we tighten up security, less drugs
will enter the country through other imported shipments.

For the criminals who are caught in illegal possession of narcotics, there
should be harsher and stricter punishments. On average, anyone busted with
drugs only gets sentenced to about a year or two behind bars. That is hardly
enough to scare them straight.

There should also be more support for those seeking help. There are many
drug rehabilitation centers in this country for people who have a drug abuse
problem. But how efficient are these places when more often than not, the
people who sought help relapse into drug addiction?

Drugs are indeed a big problem today. Addressing this issue is a big
problem.

You know what they say about problems and such. If you can't beat it, join
it. We could legalize each and every single drug and narcotic out there.
People would be walking, talking, and acting like a total yahoo everywhere
you look.

Christopher A. Pizzo

Salem
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