WE MUST DO BETTER JOB FIGHTING DRUGS

Editor,

Having children in the Punta Gorda school district so close to drug
dealers causes alarm. With the recent statistics on drug use among our
teens, Charlotte County being the highest in Florida, why are these
people still out on the streets?

The law is intended to protect us yet hinders the possibility to
arrest known drug dealers in Punta Gorda. Charlotte Avenue falls time
and time again to drug sales along with other streets just blocks away
from our schools. Even the small-time dealers have a huge impact on
our futures.

I realize that a drug addict will find their fix, but why in a
wealthy, small community is it acceptable to make it so easy? Allowing
this is affecting our poverty level, welfare cases and the number of
children being raised by single parents which in turn increases crime
due to lack of time, patience and energy, and sets an example that
crime is acceptable as long as you are educated in the way you conduct
your business.

Is there an answer? Is there anything a concerned parent can do to
fight drugs in our "safe" community? Let's take the risk!

Michelle Brisendine

Punta Gorda