SHOULDN'T TOLERATE DRUG ABUSE

I am appalled at the decision of Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis to allow Spc. Larry
Deetz to remain in the Iowa National Guard after testing positive for
methamphetamine ("Soldier Avoids Removal for Use of Meth," July 26). Not
only did Deetz test positive, he admitted to daily use for weeks prior to
his deployment.

I have been a member of the U.S. Army Reserves for 20 years. Having just
returned home from my third deployment since the beginning of the war, I
know there was no circumstance in which I would have wanted to be deployed
with a drug abuser.

I was stationed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to provide
anesthesia for soldiers requiring surgery. The medical professionals see
the worst part of the war, fighting day and night to keep the soldiers
alive with their devastating injuries. I, too, received three medals for my
service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Does that make it right for
me to abuse drugs between deployments? No.

- -Maj. Sue Springer

Prairie City