METH IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR AREA

I would like to express my concern on the methamphetamine problem facing
our area. In doing a simple search of your archives, I found many articles
relating to meth. It seems as though the people involved with the making
and dealing of meth have a blatant disregard for the consequences this may
have on other peoples' lives. These people need to be aware of the extreme
ramifications of their actions.

First off, meth labs are costly to clean up. A small meth lab costs
thousands of dollars to clean up; this money is coming from the taxpayers'
pockets. There are a lot of areas our tax dollars could benefit if we
didn't have to spend it cleaning up other people's messes. Meth
manufacturers need to get a clue.

Secondly, meth labs and their byproducts are toxic. In the process of
making meth, toxic fumes and solid wastes are produced, too. The fumes can
seep into porous material where meth is made, and therefore contaminating
the whole area. Plus, the solid wastes are larger in proportion to the
"product" that is gotten, and are both an environmental hazard and flammable.

Finally, the people to whom the meth is being sold are losing their sanity,
relationships with loved ones, jobs, houses, businesses and the list goes
on. The people who are taking the meth will spend at least $50 a day on
their habit, and will do almost anything to get it. Not only that, but they
may get permanent brain damage or die from overdose.

But, once again, they seem to have a disregard for any of this. The
ramifications are to be taken seriously, and the idiots who make and deal
meth need to wake up and smell the fumes.

Thank you for taking the time to read my voice of concern.

RICHARD WEST

Tomah, Wis.