ENFORCE THE DRUG LAWS

My son and I had a rough week. He was determined to attend the Blink 182
concert on July 31, and I was determined that he would not. My biggest
concern is the open use of drugs at the Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek. I
have been to concerts where marijuana was being smoked openly and small
children were in the company of these people (at the Yes concert last
summer). I complained to security at that time and was laughed at by these
off-duty police officers.

After Blink 182, I spoke with a sixth-grader (while substituting at a local
middle school) who had attended the concert and asked about the marijuana
situation. His response was that the smoke was so thick you could get high
on the air. This is obviously hearsay. Nevertheless, I called the Raleigh
Police Department and was told that if I was concerned I should A) attend
concerts with my child or B) not allow him to go.

This sounds simple enough, but what was I really being told? That I should
mind my own business and allow the amphitheater to continue to support drug
abuse for minors in order to advance ticket sales? These people should have
to comply with the law just as everyone else does. The U.S. Supreme Court
won't allow terminal cancer patients to grow their own marijuana, yet we
seem to be encouraging 13- and 14-year- olds to come out to Walnut Creek
and smoke it.

I am writing in hopes that others who feel as I do will put pressure on the
amphitheater and the Police Department to take an active stance to stop this.

JEAN HEDGES

Raleigh