USERS ARE TO BLAME

This is in response to Robert Sharpe's letter 'Not the final answer' in
the April 18 edition of the R-C.

I would like to thank Mr. Sharpe, M.P.A. for his expert opinion on the
failed drug programs in this country. Let me see if I understand:

A- "Law enforcement's continued involvement is part of the problem."

Wow! Now it's the sheriff's department that is helping to cause the
problem. Who else should we blame?

B-"Zero tolerance drug laws do not distinguish between occasional drug
use and chronic drug use." When a drug user is arrested for using
illegal drugs and has been before the judge multiple times, wouldn't
this suggest chronic abuse? The judges have repeatedly let these repeat
offenders off easy if they complete a drug treatment program.

Why are they still using drugs (the illegal ones) if they went through a
drug treatment program?

The relationship Mr. M.P.A. draws between alcohol (which is legal) and
drugs (which are illegal) makes no sense. The incorrigible alcoholics
deserve to be behind bars if they break a law. So should a drug user.

I find it interesting that Mr. Sharpe seems to condone recreational,
illegal drug use. He says "The vast majority of illegal drug users have
jobs." Another enlightening concept. You have to work to buy drugs. I
guess his statistics show these people become a "long term tax burden"
because they killed someone because they were high or murdered someone
because their recreational drug habit caused them to lose their jobs and
they needed money to buy drugs or for many other reasons. I can't
believe that if someone really, really wanted to get clean they
couldn't. There are many programs available.

I submit to Mr. Sharpe that the sheriff's department is doing its job
and the Justice Department is doing its job. Drug users get many chances
before they get into 'real' trouble.

Therefore, Mr. Sharpe, maybe we should look to the irresponsible drug
user who has no respect for him/herself, family, friends or society. We
must understand drug users use drugs by their own free will; no one
forces anyone to take that first sniff, shot in the arm or smoke. Maybe
instead of blaming the police, the justice system or society, put the
blame where it belongs, on the drug user, and if the user is a minor
child, then the parents also.

Bob Chylak, Minden