METH MAKERS ARE THE BOOTLEGGERS OF OUR DAY

Re: "Briefly put," Sept. 27 editorial:

Speaking as a retired detective and student of history, your idea
(have pharmacies participate in tracking sales of meth ingredients)
to improve the meth problem is doomed to failure.

We in law enforcement have been trying such ideas for the past 40
years. The results of those ideas and a trillion tax dollars spent?
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, "Drugs are readily
available to America's youth."

The meth lab, whether "shake and bake" or the table-sized variety, is
the moonshine still of the 21st century. We can make 99 percent go
away if we would repeal the prohibition of amphetamines. Allow adults
legal access to the same amphetamines we give Air Force and Navy
pilots to fly long missions. This is not complicated.

HOWARD WOOLDRIDGE

Detective/Officer (retired)