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 - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin