WRONG APPROACH

Regarding "Committee rejects tougher beer sales" (news story, Feb. 16):
Rep. Thad Balkman's bill to save lives by increasing penalties for
supplying alcohol to minors failed -- and rightfully so. If increased
penalties for supplying illegal drugs worked, Oklahoma would have become
drug-free 20 years ago. Balkman should introduce a bill that would actually
save lives and injury; namely, when a teen is dying of an alcohol or drug
overdose, make the call to 911 an arrest-free act, no matter who supplied
the drug or alcohol. Having cops and paramedics step over a dead body to
catch the drug supplier is a pro-death policy that no parent supports.

Howard J. Wooldridge, Norman