GET TOUGH WITH AREA'S DRUG DEALERS

My appreciation for the attention you have drawn to the drug problem
in the area. As a Kingsport native, I have seen this problem escalate
to unimaginable levels in recent years. This problem needs to be
addressed to ensure the safety of innocent citizens. I have lived in
the Bloomingdale community all of my life. There has been an influx
of drug dealers in this community in the past few years. I agree that
prescription drug abuse is a major problem here; however, the issue
of street drugs should not be overlooked. All types of drug abuse are
a major problem.

While there are some doctors who give out narcotics prescriptions
freely, most do not. The problem is drug dealers. No matter what drug
they are selling, they are ruining a life. They prey on people who
are having problems and looking for a quick way to fix it. No one is
exempt, from children who just want to fit in, to people who get
overwhelmed with the struggles of day to day life. They tell them it
will help them to cope and it's only this once. What these "one-time"
users don't realize is everyone who uses was a one-time user at some
point. It is time to change the war on drugs - drugs do not abuse
themselves. It needs to be the war on drug dealers, and they should
know it will not be over until every last one is off of our streets.

Rebecca McCracken

Kingsport