DENIAL IS REASON BEHIND FAILING DRUG WAR

I read the Aug. 1 Associated Press story, "Salt Lake City emerges as
unlikely battlefield in war on drugs." To be quite honest, it came as
little surprise. What truly does amaze me is the fact that Utahns live in
such a state of denial. We all know there are drugs here, and the odd
schedules and poor dress of some of our neighbors point to this type of
activity. But what do people really care, as long as it's not their child?
Well, I have news for the denial addicts out there: It could and very well
may be someone close to you.

Since we are in the middle of the front lines, what are we doing about it?
Most likely nothing. We are content to let a handful of people take care of
us. There are so few law enforcement officers to handle the problem, yet we
get highly upset if they miss getting one of the bad people.

Responsibility starts with us. We cannot expect to be protected 24 hours a
day, seven days a week when the druggies outnumber the cops 10-1. I know. I
used to be one of those bad guys.

Without more concern and some sort of action, Utahns are endangering their
lives. We all know denial is what drug users depend on for their security
- -- citizens' denial enables them to get away with so many, many things. As
long as people don't accept what they see or hear, the drug war is a loss
for those fighting it.

Lawrence Nielsen Alpine