METH SERIES WRITER ADDRESSES CRITICS

Dear Editor:

While doing research for a story on methamphetamine, I began to see a bigger
pattern than just illegal drug use. I drew a circle and wrote 'meth' inside it,
and then with each new area that would be impacted, I drew and labeled lines
extending outward. By the time I was finished with my research, the simple
drawing had taken on the aspect of a spider's web, with meth at the center.

I could see how such a web could trap and entangle our economically depressed
county, hurt our citizens (especially the children), and destroy the way of
life we have enjoyed in our little corner of the world.

The reason I began the series of stories on meth and its impact on the
community was to try to help the public become aware of the myriad problems and
dangers associated with the use and production of the drug. I wanted them to
get a glimpse of the spider web and its inherent danger.

Judging from the feedback I have received from readers, I have partially
achieved my goal.

When I read the three letters to the editor in last week's Tomahawk endorsing
legalization of methamphetamine, I was appalled.

Randal Geringer, of Lawrence, KS, tells us we have to take responsibility for
the damage caused by illegal drug labs if we support the war on drugs. He says,
"Legalize drugs and regulate them and these problems will disappear."

Alan Randell, of Victoria, BC, Canada, asks, "Why do the media support a brutal
government pogrom like our drug laws? I can only surmise that tragedy,
suffering and war sell more newspapers and lead to higher TV ratings than
happiness, contentment and peace."

According to my Random House Dictionary of the English Language, 'pogrom' is
defined as an organized massacre; destruction, devastation; to destroy,
devastate.

Randell calls my stories ".another load of propaganda served up by the media to
shore up public support for drug prohibition."

He says stories like mine are "a Hitler-like diversionary tactic implemented by
government to entertain the majority by crushing an innocent minority, those
who use or sell certain drugs. It is propaganda because, as usual, you allow no
input from those of us who oppose these ridiculous laws."

Sorry to disagree, Randell, but my editor allowed you to voice your opinion.
Want more exposure than in a small newspaper thousands of miles away from your
own hometown? Then write a column for your local paper. Better yet, become a
politician and change the laws governing illegal drug production.

This man goes on to say our "cops, drug experts, prosecutors, politicians"
profit from the drug laws. I think the Sheriff's Department coffers would show
otherwise.

Chris Buors, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the third advocate of drug
legalization, asks, "Why can't Americans understand the correlated evils of
prohibition no matter what the substance?"

Legalization. Put drug production under the auspices of manufacturers and all
of our problems will go away. Let's see . would that theory work for other
illegal activities? Then let's just legalize everything.

Think of the very worst thing someone could do to a small child, and then
imagine if that activity were acceptable, controlled by a private company, and
affordable.

Killing people. Should that be included?

Animal cruelty. Think of the fun you could have! There could be "Shock the
Sheep" booths at every state fair. Speeding. On our twisty, turny roads here in
Johnson County?

The list goes on and on. Legalization of dangerous substances would be akin to
turning a child loose in the cereal aisle at the grocery store and saying, "Get
what you want and eat what you would like to have."

While I may disagree with some aspects of our government, I agree in principal
with the laws governing our nation. The argument for legalization of
methamphetamine and other drugs is a poorly thought-out and illogical attempt
to sway public opinion.

In the meantime, Johnson County may be a step closer to shutting down our
illegal meth labs. It all starts with one person who is concerned about the
problem talking to someone else, until the entire community's awareness is
shaken. And it can't stop there. The community has to speak out; stand up for
that in which it believes.

Reality may be a tough landscape in which to live but it is what we have. As
Phillip K. Dick said, "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it,
doesn't go away."

Barbara A. Dunn

Mountain City, TN