DEMON DRUGS

Eleven-year-old "Betito" is another innocent victim in the war against
illegal drugs. Why isn't some of the anger and energy being directed
at authorities also being used to get families educated on the
tragedies that come about as a result of illegal drugs. People are not
focusing on this horrible demon that is robbing the lives of too many
innocent victims.

OTILIA COSTA

Hilmar, Sept. 21

A TRAGIC DEATH

The death of 11-year-old Alberto Sepulveda is tragic. My concern is
the apparent lack of parental responsibility. I have read in The
Modesto Bee about the police action but very little about the possible
involvement of the parents in drugs.

What kind of parenting is this?

HELEN JUETTE

Modesto, Sept. 21

WHO LOADED THE GUN?

Members of the Hispanic community argued against the unfair treatment
and accidental death of Alberto Sepulveda by the Modesto Police
Department. Many of the common themes evoked by their arguments of the
injustices of the system were fair assessments to make at the meeting.
However, I believe that the injustices within the system can be argued
and applied to Moises Sepulveda and his arrest on a warrant alleging
conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Many speakers believed the Sepulvedas to be victims of discrimination
because of their color and culture. Did anyone even mention drugs? The
bottom line is that the police raided the home because the Drug
Enforcement Administration had a warrant alleging conspiracy to
distribute methamphetamine, not because there were Hispanics within
the household.

Another speaker commented, "that child should not pay for a parent's
act, no matter what." Drugs have the potential to kill hundreds of
people a day. Officer David Hawn may have held the gun or pulled the
trigger, but the question remains of who loaded the gun?

SHANNON RIVAS

Modesto, Sept. 20