Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jan 2005
Source: Era-Banner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 The Era-Banner
Contact:  http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/newscentre/erabanner/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2678
Author: Kevan Allison

PUBLIC HAS NO BUSINESS KNOWING DRUG DETAILS

Re: Police should be thanked, not criticized for efforts, letter to the 
editor by Tobey Crandell, Jan. 23.

I did not know the victim, however, I think it is absolutely disgusting Mr. 
Crandell chose to open his mouth and bash this poor soul in front of the 
whole community, again, totally disregarding the feelings of the family and 
friends of Janette Montgomery.

First, there were only traces of these drugs in her system, meaning they 
could have been in her system anywhere from a few hours to a few months.

For Mr. Crandell to say we should be thanking York Regional Police Chief 
Armand La Barge for pretty much airing the child's personal problems is a joke.

The public has no right to any information on an individual's past.

Especially when the facts are so unclear.

If, for sure, the crash was related to drug use, test results would have 
been more severe, meaning there would have been more severe traces of 
substances in her blood.

I am pretty sure many people have a drink or two the night before and then 
drive the next day.

My point?

You would have still have traces of alcohol in your blood regardless if it 
was not for a couple of days until you drove again.

How do you know, Mr. Crandell, that she was not forced or slipped drugs at 
one point or even tried them and decided they were not for her and then 
three days later this happened?

For you to be in favour of airing details of a person's personal life after 
a tragedy such as this is insane. Police and the media are not here to make 
accusations.

They are here to point out facts, and the fact is, it is still not proven 
Ms Montgomery was impaired at the time and, until it is, accusations should 
be kept private.

Another fact is she did not take anyone else's life and, even if she had, 
these traces of whatever would still not be strong enough to make an 
accusation of impairment.

The bottom line is a life was lost, be it to rain, impairment or whatever 
and, as a community, we should be sending condolences, not criticism.

Remember, drinking, drug abuse or even smoking are all problems with which 
people deal.

Mr. Crandell, if it were your child dealing with it, would you write an 
article in the paper embarrassing your family to try and solve it?

Let's hope the Montgomerys can move on and not have to deal with more 
perfect people throwing in their two cents: leave this child to rest in peace.

We should all take a close look at our own lives and families.

Kevan Allison

Newmarket 
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MAP posted-by: Beth