THE INFERNO OF DRUGS PUTS HEAT ON EVERYONE

The article "The fight against our forgotten epidemic" (Nov. 14) was
very compelling for me. As an African American who grew up in the
projects of Greensboro, I am well aware of the detrimental effect that
drugs like marijuana and crack can have on our neighborhoods. Many of
my classmates are addicted to drugs or are dead or incarcerated
because of drugs.

It is a blazing inferno, and to quote chief of police Wray, "Common
sense ought to tell you that if a fire is burning down all the houses
on one side of the street, there's a good chance the embers are going
to burn down your house."

Many residents are oblivious to the fire because when a face is put on
the issue, it is always from one particular side of town. Therefore,
for many residents, including those who can make policy, the issue
really is out of sight and out of mind. But the trouble is, that side
of town can quickly become this side of town.

I applaud Susan Mills for her comment that this epidemic is not just
associated with poor blacks. Drugs don't care what color you are or
where you live. Drugs, debt, devastation and death do not
discriminate, so neither should we. This is a community issue and it
is going to take the communities working together to change it.

Pamela J. Chandler

Greensboro