NOT A VICTIMLESS CRIME

Regarding "Drug War Is A Waste" (Letters, June 27):

There are no injuries in drug crimes?

Did you ever sit in on a classroom of adult females in jail who tell
stories of days and nights jumping into eight to 10 strangers' cars
to feed a crack addiction? These ladies, once upon a time, were
someone's daughter, someone's pride and joy.

Did you ever talk to a parent whose only son was gunned down at 19
years old because he was addicted to the hustle of dealing drugs?
Have you noticed our neighborhoods being polluted with aspiring young
gangsters making a name for themselves?

The argument is tired and outdated. The race for a satisfying high
has led to far more potent and dangerous drugs. These narcotics and
chemicals of today suck the soul right out of our young people. By
portraying the injectors of these poisons as victims only perpetuates
problems that our children, nephews, nieces and neighborhoods are all
so very vulnerable to. But I guess it's not the dealers fault, is it?

STEVE JOHNSON, Tampa