WAR ON DRUGS MUST BE FOUGHT WITH FERVOR

Last week a retired police officer rode through Payson on a cross-country
equestrian crusade to spread his message of legalizing dangerous drugs.

I cannot understand how anyone, especially an officer who has seen the
devastating effects of illegal drugs first hand, would lobby to make them
more available and socially acceptable. This is a terrible message to send
to our young people.

Anyone who has stood by helplessly and watched their husband, wife,
brother, friend or child fall into the depths of a substance addiction --
from methamphetamines to alcohol -- knows that the devastation is not
limited to the user.

Friendships crumble, families suffer, and children are neglected and go hungry.

In Payson, police officers say the phenomenon of grandparents raising their
grandchildren is becoming more common because of the growing number of
parents enslaved by these highly addictive drugs.

Some people say the war on drugs cannot be won. Others complain about the
cost of defeating illegal drugs.

But if you were to ask any mother who has felt the heartbreaking pain of
watching her child become an addict, she would tell you no price is too
high to stop it from happening to someone else.

We must carry on this war against drugs, and not become fooled by a world
with withering values.

On Monday, the House of Representatives approved a comprehensive bill that
would require decongestant tablets containing pseudoephedrine -- a key meth
ingredient -- to be sold behind pharmacy counters.

The bill will also require buyers to show identification and sign a log,
impose smaller limits on the amount that can be purchased and stiffen
criminal penalties for meth use and production.

On the same day the bill moved through the House, Target Corporation
announced it would move drugs with pseudoephedrine behind pharmacy counters
in its stores nationwide. In stores without pharmacies, the company said
these drugs won't be sold at all.

I am impressed that Target stores are willing to put principle over profit.
They are setting the pace and I hope others will follow.