THE 'SHAME' OF THE RAIDS

Re "Co-op owners say they feel 'violated'" (Newslines, by Meredith J.
Cooper, July 8):

Being one of the terminally ill patients, these co-operatives and
collectives are the only way I can obtain my medication. I live in an
apartment, and I'm on Social Security and can barely afford my bills,
let alone medication, but at least with some of these nice young men
and women around here that run those establishments I am able to
acquire cheap and affordable medication.

Without my medication I cannot keep down the cocktail of synthetics my
doctor gives me to take on a daily basis. Please take the power back
out of the hands of the drug dealers and put it back in the hands of
taxpaying individuals where it belongs.

At least with these businesses around I don't have to worry about
whether I'm going to be robbed trying to receive medication. I think
it's a shame that something that was legal till the 1930s should be
looked down upon so negatively in what is supposed to be the age of
information.

Mike Gelado

Chico