Pubdate: Sat, 29 Oct 2005
Source: News & Observer (Raleigh, NC)
Copyright: 2005 The News and Observer Publishing Company
Contact: https://miva.nando.com/contact_us/letter_editor.html
Website: http://www.news-observer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304
Author: Caleb Southern, Partners Against Crime

BEATING ILLEGAL DRUGS

Durham has had a great run with our "City of Medicine" motto. But it
may be time for a new slogan. My suggestion: "City of Drugs." This
would present a much more accurate picture of the Bull City,
considering: . Our history as the world's leader in tobacco
manufacturing. . Our prominence in the global pharmaceutical industry.

. Duke Medical Center and RTP . Our dominance as a center of crack and
other illegal drugs. Durham is a major stop on the Interstate 85 drug
trafficking corridor. Apparently we also have a very successful local
retail presence in this industry. Many thousands of dollars worth of
drugs are sold every day in Durham, according to Capt. Paul Martin of
the Durham County Sheriff's Department. Kudos to the police for their
announcement of a year-long operation that netted $211,000 of crack
(news story, Oct. 25), but unfortunately this is just a drop in the
bucket.

Our drug problem fuels every aspect of crime, from gangs and murder
all the way down to car, home and business break-ins and crackhead
panhandlers -- issues that plague and demoralize the overwhelming
majority of people I know in Durham every day.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was able to reverse 40 years of
blight there in just a few short years. I challenge Mayor Bill Bell to
prove he still has the goods to lead us here in Durham. If re-elected,
what exactly is Bell's plan to turn our great city around?

Caleb

Southern Durham

(The writer is a member of Partners Against Crime.)
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin