Pubdate: Fri, 16 May 2008
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2008 The Tribune Co.
Contact: http://www.tbo.com/news/opinion/submissionform.htm
Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n487/a08.html
Author: John Chase

BLAME THE WAR ON DRUGS

Regarding "Parents Blame Police In Death" (Metro, May 12):

It is bad enough that this poor girl volunteered to go undercover for
the Tallahassee police in the hope that they might then leave her alone.

What is worse is that the parents and their attorneys, the Tallahassee
police and online comments fail to understand the cause of Rachel
Hoffman's death. Some of them blame the Tallahassee police; some, the
girl's naivete and for not following police directions; some, for her
getting involved in illegal drugs in the first place. They're all wrong.

I blame the drug war, the public policy that causes more societal
damage than it prevents. Or are we to believe that killing the Rachels
of the drug war is the price we must pay to "fight drugs"? I think
not. I think there is a better way.

John Chase

Palm Harbor, FL
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake