PUBLIC HAS NO BUSINESS KNOWING DRUG DETAILS

Re: Police should be thanked, not criticized for efforts, letter to the
editor by Tobey Crandell, Jan. 23.

I did not know the victim, however, I think it is absolutely disgusting Mr.
Crandell chose to open his mouth and bash this poor soul in front of the
whole community, again, totally disregarding the feelings of the family and
friends of Janette Montgomery.

First, there were only traces of these drugs in her system, meaning they
could have been in her system anywhere from a few hours to a few months.

For Mr. Crandell to say we should be thanking York Regional Police Chief
Armand La Barge for pretty much airing the child's personal problems is a joke.

The public has no right to any information on an individual's past.

Especially when the facts are so unclear.

If, for sure, the crash was related to drug use, test results would have
been more severe, meaning there would have been more severe traces of
substances in her blood.

I am pretty sure many people have a drink or two the night before and then
drive the next day.

My point?

You would have still have traces of alcohol in your blood regardless if it
was not for a couple of days until you drove again.

How do you know, Mr. Crandell, that she was not forced or slipped drugs at
one point or even tried them and decided they were not for her and then
three days later this happened?

For you to be in favour of airing details of a person's personal life after
a tragedy such as this is insane. Police and the media are not here to make
accusations.

They are here to point out facts, and the fact is, it is still not proven
Ms Montgomery was impaired at the time and, until it is, accusations should
be kept private.

Another fact is she did not take anyone else's life and, even if she had,
these traces of whatever would still not be strong enough to make an
accusation of impairment.

The bottom line is a life was lost, be it to rain, impairment or whatever
and, as a community, we should be sending condolences, not criticism.

Remember, drinking, drug abuse or even smoking are all problems with which
people deal.

Mr. Crandell, if it were your child dealing with it, would you write an
article in the paper embarrassing your family to try and solve it?

Let's hope the Montgomerys can move on and not have to deal with more
perfect people throwing in their two cents: leave this child to rest in peace.

We should all take a close look at our own lives and families.

Kevan Allison

Newmarket