Pubdate: Wed, 07 Dec 2011
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2011 Tony Gardner
Contact: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/letters/sendletter.html
Website: http://www.ajc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n682/a06.html
Author: Tony Gardner

Responsibility

MAKE CRIMINALS PAY TO CLEAN UP METH MESS

As a taxpayer, I find our government's methods of funding the cleanup 
of meth labs to be disgustingly inept ("Flap throws off meth lab 
tracking," Metro, Dec. 1).

Federal funding for this purpose ran out months ago (although 
millions were recently appropriated, along with more funds from 
Georgia's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council).

Why should taxpayers get the bill for this?

When a person is convicted of operating a meth lab in their house, 
judges should be able to order the sale of that house (or other 
property the meth maker may have), with proceeds going to a state 
fund to clean up meth labs.

A meth lab is a danger to the whole neighborhood and expensive to clean up

Government should look to the criminals - not the taxpayers - to pay 
for these irresponsible crimes.

TONY GARDNER, CUMMING
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom