SEND STRONG MESSAGE TO METH-LAB PARENTS

After reading the article, "Infant hurt in meth lab" (TNT, 8-25), I was
filled with sadness and fury. To delay seeking medical help and allow a
baby to suffer for over 12 hours with burns to his face and throat after
falling into a bucket of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine is
unfathomable. Even less is allowing a baby near such hazards.

I work with the Greater Pierce County Community Network, a group of
citizens who are charged by the Legislature to reduce child abuse and
neglect. Last year our network worked with state Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen
(D-Eatonville) in passing Senate Bill 6260, which adds a felony
child-endangerment charge when parents or others are found to have allowed
children in a meth lab. This new law adds a mandatory two-year prison
sentence to sentencing for the drug charges.

It is common to have explosions and fires during the meth-cooking process,
and children have already died in meth labs in other states and counties.
The law is meant to be a deterrent and can only serve that purpose if it is
used. Parents who raise their children in meth labs need to know, without a
doubt, that they will be punished for their total lack of care for their
children. If we have to make this a test case for our new law, then let's
do it.

We need to send a strong and clear message that this kind of parenting will
not be tolerated by anyone living in our beautiful community.

HELEN MYRICK; Executive director; Greater Pierce County Community Network;
Tacoma