WITNESSESING THE DEVASTATION CAUSED BY DRUGS

Over the years I have read many articles in the Gloucester Daily Times I
have disagreed with, but have refrained from responding or writing
rebuttals because I didn't want to stir any debates about my opinion.

With respect to Question 8 on this Election Day ballot, it is obvious that
I am going to write in opposition about diverting seized monies from drug
dealers to be used for drug rehabilitation.

As explained by the Essex County District Attorney's office, Massachusetts
allocates and spends about $150 million a year for this purpose in drug
rehabilitation programs.

The monies seized statewide from people who deal drugs amounts to about $3
million per year, and this money does in fact help law enforcement
supplement already tightened state and local police budgets. (Monies are
not used to pay wages.)

It is quite obvious to us in the law enforcement field that this question
was put on the ballot by people who are trying to open the door to the
legalization of drugs, by throwing up a smoke screen trying to use it as a
way to work on the sympathies of people who are not fully informed as to
the big picture with the problems of drugs in our communities.

They are trying to make the public believe that the additional $3 million
is going to make the difference in drug rehabilitation.

For the past 32 years, I have seen and dealt first hand with what illegal
drugs can do to a city, and I do have very strong opinions about drug abuse
and those who violate the laws with respect to using and selling drugs.

I have a thousand horror stories that I could relate about what my
colleagues and I have witnessed, far too many to relate in this letter.

Massachusetts has very good laws to deal with violations of the drug laws.
Unfortunately the Gloucester court has taken a very liberal attitude with
respect to those who we bring before the courts who have repeatedly broken
those laws.

As frustrated as we sometimes get by seeing repeat offenders let go, we
still attempt to enforce the laws with respect to those who use and sell
drugs illegally in our city.

I have been involved with the investigation of about 40 to 50 overdose
deaths, and have attended the autopsy of about 15 persons, young and old,
and have seen the devastation it has caused to families, friends and loved
ones.

Life is full of choices, good and bad. There should be rewards for the good
and repercussions for the bad choices that are made, especially for those
who deal drugs illegally.

If Question 8 should pass, a person who deals drugs only has to claim
he/she is "at risk" of becoming addicted to drugs, whether they use drugs
or not, and this person will escape prosecution, with no threat of
incarceration.

Our laws and courts have already taken care of the user of drugs through
our Probation Departments, with programs for those who want to take
advantage of them.

I only wish the general public could witness the devastation the use of
drugs has caused through my eyes; then I am sure that Question 8 wouldn't
get one vote.

Please vote no on Question 8.

KENNETH J.S. RYAN

197 Main St.

A BACK-DOOR APPROACH TO FIGHTING DRUGS

Question 8 is not about drug rehabilitation. It's about allowing first- and
second-time drug dealers to escape prosecution by declaring themselves at
risk of becoming drug dependent, substituting treatment for incarceration,
all with the aid of drug-seized money.

It is a back-door approach to cripple law enforcement in drug
investigations and the legalization of drugs by diverting the money seized
from enforcement to rehabilitation. It is the first step to impede the
police from getting drug users and dealers off the streets, which is so
common to Gloucester and other communities.

More interesting, the backers and supporters of this question with more
than $1 million spent supporting this question are non-Massachusetts
residents who believe all drugs should be legal. A no vote on Question 8 is
to "say not to drugs."

JAMES W. ROBERTSON

197 Main St.

WRONG WAY TO FIGHT DRUGS

Question 8 wants to send drug dealers to rehabilitation, not jail. These
drug dealers prey on our children and family members. Drug dealing is a big
profit business and these dealers only fear is the loss of their profits.
Taking drug profits away from dealers, "Now that's a good idea," no
profits, jail. That's where drug dealers belong who tear our family way of
life apart.

Let's not kid ourselves, the people backing this question 8 are for
profits. They run businesses who deal with rehabilitation and see these
profits as a cash cow.

All voters should listen to their police departments and District Attorneys
across the state that tell you that this money is a tool that law
enforcement uses to try and keep up with drug dealers. The threat of jail
and losing these profits from drug transactions with our children is all
law enforcement has as a recourse to this dramatic problem.

If the public passes this question, then the next step will be to legalize
all drugs. I personally have seen what these dealers do to families. This
question is worded more than what the title says and the deep ramifications
hurt our city.

We can stop Question 8, simply by voting no.

MIKE McLEOD

Wheeler Street