I was disturbed by the last two ad hominim attacks Bud Howell launched against Vice Mayor Mumpower's refusal to be complacent about the local, open-air, hard-drug market. And, contrary to the claims of your out-of-state readers, there's more to drug culture than feeling good. While recreational users who can still hold down jobs and read newspapers haven't crossed that line, we mustn't forget the less fortunate among us who have or could.

Insatiable demons torment the addictive mind. Basic skills of coping, planning and working toward goals are never learned, as the seductive option of escape is always beckoning. Hours pile up into years of lost opportunities. When it's feeding time for the inner demons, we'd sell anything to put the fire out. We pull our families, friends and neighbors down as we lie, cheat and steal to support our habits. Exhausting all support systems, many of us will turn to the streets, selling our souls for a life of crime.

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