BORDER ISSUES IMPACT METH IN U.S.

Wednesday's article regarding the attorney general race raised the
question "What comes next in fight against meth?" Unfortunately, none
of the candidates has the insight or political courage to address the
root cause.

A recent segment of the PBS series "Frontline," citing Drug
Enforcement Administration sources, stated 65 percent of meth consumed
in the United States comes from Mexican drug cartels. The drugs have
no value until they are illegally carried across the border to be
sold. Drug cartels work with gangs, such as MS-13 to handle
distribution.

MS-13 and other gangs also control the flow of illegal immigrants
across the U.S. border. If Mexican nationals do not have the money to
pay to cross, they are forced to carry the drugs across the border
illegally.

Thus, the root cause of U.S. meth problems is border security, which
includes illegal immigration. That point should have been made last
Tuesday when federal agents arrested more than 130 alleged drug
traffickers and about half were illegal aliens.

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager attended a rally last spring in
support of immigrants which advocated no distinction between legal and
illegal immigrants, amnesty and equating human rights with civil
rights. A consequence of this position, intentional or not, is being
blind to the fact that some immigrants are involved in drug smuggling.
It's time to see the big picture.

MICHAEL HOPKINS

Darlington