OUR SOCIETY SHOULD DEAL FIRST WITH THE BIGGER PROBLEM OF METH USERS

I agree with Kathleen R. Jones of Wasilla and her story about the
growing number of crystal methamphetamine users in Alaska ("Seward
Highway funding a priority; deal with meth, not marijuana use," Jan.
30). Crystal meth is a far more dangerous drug than marijuana will
ever be. Working on the small marijuana problems first just makes the
bigger meth problems grow. We don't want more meth users.

I have talked with meth and marijuana users to see how they reacted
to the drugs. Meth users say it keeps you up all night, and it makes
you do things you normally would not do. For example, a meth user
would get the courage to rob, or in some cases even kill, if the user
was desperate enough for meth.

The effects of marijuana are practically the opposite of meth. Heavy
marijuana users are lethargic, and at least they seem to know what
they are doing. These users don't go out of control to keep using.

Authorities should start being creative by testing criminals for meth
who just got in jail, so some real investigation can begin. I'm not
trying to stick up for marijuana users; I'm just trying to get across
what I know about meth users. Legislatures, FBI, cops, deal with
what's important first.

- Wendell Brower

Anchorage