CITY HIRING PLAN COMBATS DRUGS

I recently read an article in this newspaper about High Point hiring
four alleged drug dealers who wanted to go straight, and that if the
program were to be a success then it would depend on the support of
the local businesses. The article described the pros and cons of this
experimental plan, and that it would help get crime out of the
neighborhoods in the West End of High Point.

My view is that, if successful, this plan could prove to be a very
helpful and vital plan in keeping High Point a good city. It these
people honestly want to make an effort to work and drop their ways,
then the city would be rid of that much crime and we could have made a
difference in that person's life.

The problem with this ambitious plan is that they could simply use the
business to make money to enhance the crime that they may be doing or
causing, but that could be the case with any person. Another problem
is that this plan could become costly and taxes might be raised to
keep the program on its feet. People may question the High Point
government's judgment as well.

There is also the question of our safety and well-being, knowing that
there are ex-criminals working among us. Whether they are safe or not
is up to the employers and the criminals themselves.

I think that deploying this plan would be a good thing and would send
a message to the criminals and wrong-doers in High Point that we
aren't going to stand around and let them rot in jail. If they make an
honest effort and put their best foot forward then we should give them
a chance for work.

JOHN PAVIK

Sturbridge Avenue