Pubdate: Fri, 05 Aug 2005 Source: Des Moines Register (IA) Copyright: 2005 The Des Moines Register. Contact: http://desmoinesregister.com/index.html Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123 Author: Maj. Sue Springer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1183/a08.html SHOULDN'T TOLERATE DRUG ABUSE I am appalled at the decision of Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis to allow Spc. Larry Deetz to remain in the Iowa National Guard after testing positive for methamphetamine ("Soldier Avoids Removal for Use of Meth," July 26). Not only did Deetz test positive, he admitted to daily use for weeks prior to his deployment. I have been a member of the U.S. Army Reserves for 20 years. Having just returned home from my third deployment since the beginning of the war, I know there was no circumstance in which I would have wanted to be deployed with a drug abuser. I was stationed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to provide anesthesia for soldiers requiring surgery. The medical professionals see the worst part of the war, fighting day and night to keep the soldiers alive with their devastating injuries. I, too, received three medals for my service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Does that make it right for me to abuse drugs between deployments? No. - -Maj. Sue Springer Prairie City - --- MAP posted-by: Beth