POLICE SHOULD BE THANKED, NOT CRITICIZED FOR EFFORTS

Re: Police jumped gun with media release, editorial, Jan. 13.

The law, apparently, allows both sides to present evidence in the form of
toxicology reports and expert witnesses, as your editorial notes.

Obviously, neither side in this case has been able to say with absolute
certainty Janette Montgomery was or was not impaired. That shouldn't be
required before an opinion may be stated.

Having said that, how many drugs did Ms Montgomery have to have in her
bloodstream before we may state she was impaired?

Your editorial implies the use of the word impaired requires scientifically
proven data. I believe it does not.

When Janette Montgomery got behind the wheel of a car with three drugs in
her system, she put all our lives at risk. We all deserve the protection of
the law. Chief Armand La Barge should be thanked for his continued efforts
to inform the public the use of drugs and driving is a fatal combination.

Although one of my friends argued "every parent will defend their child
because they love their child", his wife agreed Ms Montgomery could very
easily have taken another person's life.

I and many others have wondered aloud, when discussing your editorial if
you would have been as generous toward the late Ms Montgomery if she had
taken another person's life with her that day.

I hope this letter causes no additional sorrow to the family of Ms
Montgomery, but that they understand the sentiments behind it. I can't
imagine a greater indignity to a parent than having to bury their child.

Tobey Crandell

Thornhill