Pubdate: Fri, 22 Jul 2005
Source: Berkshire Eagle, The (Pittsfield, MA)
Contact:  http://www.berkshireeagle.com/
Address: PO Box 1171, Pittsfield, MA 01202
Fax: (413) 499-3419
Copyright: 2005 New England Newspapers, Inc
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Author: Doris Nelson

THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING

To the Editor of THE EAGLE:- I have read with much concern about the 
undercover drug buys and arrests of Great Barrington teenagers who 
were arrested for selling drugs. I feel great sympathy for their 
families who surely are suffering as the result of their children's 
poor judgment and illegal acts. However, I have no sympathy for the 
teenagers. They knew what they were doing. They knew the risks and 
they did it  anyway. And they got caught.

Drugs are a serious problem in our country. The victims are the users 
who get hooked. They lose their ability to work, to learn, to pursue 
productive careers  and so they become a burden on society. They 
become criminals to support their  habits. The Great Barrington 
teenagers were not arrested because they stupidly  bought a packet of 
marijuana for a quick high, or to experiment and see what it  was 
like. These teenagers were knowledgeable enough to be qualified to 
sell the  stuff. They knew what they were doing. No sweet innocents 
were these. I believe anyone caught and arrested for selling any kind 
of drugs should have the book thrown at them. They deserve no 
sympathy. There are the destroyers of their classmates' futures. Your 
tough stand, Mr. Capeless, is justified and I commend you for your 
courage in pursuing these sellers of drugs.

DORIS NELSON

Pittsfield
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