JUDGING OTHERS NOT THE ISSUE IN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN

The people of Kahekili Terrace are doing a great thing (The Maui News, Sept.
25). I support their efforts and wish them the best of luck on all their
endeavors.

The morning following the rally brought to light how much of an impact they are
making. Someone had placed the Thursday newspaper on my relatives' door with a
little message full of insults, threats and a comment about judging others.

Almost everyone has judged someone else at one time or another in their
lifetime. It's not an issue of who's better, who's bad, who's judging whom. The
issue is drugs in our communities, especially ones with lots of children. What
type of future do you think we'll have if more than half of our youth are
addicted to drugs?

If you want to take drugs, you are going to no matter what anyone says or does
and it is your choice. Just don't do it around me, my family, my neighborhood
and my community because it's our choice not to and to not tolerate all that
comes with it.

My uncle was murdered in relation to drugs. I've had friends, who I didn't
realize were mixed up with drugs, go to jail. I've experienced the heartache,
the grief and I have been humbled. I don't make comments like I have in the
past; now I can relate to what families are going through and it hurts. Boy,
does it hurt.

Lisa Texeira

Kahului