Pubdate: Sun, 02 Oct 2005
Source: Billings Gazette, The (MT)
Copyright: 2005 The Billings Gazette
Contact:  http://www.billingsgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/515
Author: James Tilley

METH DOESN'T CREATE OR DISTRIBUTE ITSELF

I am writing in response to an Aug. 28 article by Ed Kemmick entitled
"Meth users real people, not low-lifes."

Kemmick tried to make the point that methamphetamine users are normal
people just like you and me. They are our neighbors, friends, family
members and co-workers. And they should not be looked at as "low- lifes."

Kemmick notes that "there's a lot that needs to be done to fight the
meth plague. We need more treatment for people trying to kick the
crank habit. We need more education, more resources aimed at
prevention." I agree with Kemmick, we need more education and more
treatment, but we also need to control the proliferation of drugs on
our streets.

Kemmick also points out that we tend to forget that these
methamphetamine users are not the enemy in our "war on drugs," but the
enemy should be the drug itself.

Kemmick forgets that the "war on drugs" is being fought against those
who illegally manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. Most of the
time, the people who distribute meth are our neighbors, friends,
family members and co-workers. The drugs do not manufacture and
distribute themselves. The people selling this poison to our children
in the schools are also the users. The meth users/addicts are the ones
who commit a majority of the crimes in our communities, not our
law-abiding neighbors, friends, family members and co-workers.

James Tilley, Resident Agent in Charge Drug Enforcement Administration

Billings
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin