EXPLODING METH/EXPLODING MYTHS

I just wanted to say how great it is to know that there are people taking
notice of the drug problems in rural America. ("Every Man a Kingpin," May
11). I am a native of Megargel, about 15 miles south of Archer City. My
brother has been a meth user and cook for the past four years; he is 23
years old. We grew up on a ranch in a very comfortable home and the
pressures and dangers of the outside world never seemed to come near us.
Unfortunately, this wasn't the case. Even worse, many of the older
generation are just now realizing that drugs are infiltrating their
environment. They have been in denial, and are totally unequipped to deal
with the problem they face.

My brother has been averaging a stint in county jail about once a month for
the past year and a half. He's been in on everything from grand theft auto,
back child support, assault, possession of narcotics, and attempt to sell.
Why doesn't he stay in jail? Minimal bail, overcrowded jails, delayed court
dates, and minimal fines for his offenses that his "friends" take care of.
This is the true problem, weakness and inconsistencies in our judicial
system (95 year sentencing!!). There are so many myths surrounding addicts
and drug use. Until people get the facts about drugs and who becomes
addicted and what an addict is really like, we are going to continue to
lose those dear to us. Drug abuse is not a disease, it is a character
weakness and it is a choice.

We, the community, have to be there to show people the error of their ways,
and help them make different choices.

Georgia Shawver via e-mail