COLLATERAL DAMAGE STAINS WAR ON DRUGS

Thanks for publishing Cynthia Tucker's outstanding column "88
year-old woman is latest collateral damage in drug war" (Opinion
Commentary, Dec. 4).

The only thing unusual about the death of Kathryn Johnston was her
age. Otherwise, this story would hardly have been news outside of Georgia.

Apologies will be offered and actions will be regretted. But Ms.
Johnston is still dead.

Dead because Ms. Johnston was suspected of selling the wrong
recreational drug to willing buyers.

Dead because Ms. Johnston probably assumed that someone breaking into
her home in the middle of the night was up to no good.

Dead because Ms. Johnston tried to defend herself.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.