A WAR WORTH FIGHTING

This is in response to Jason Camp's letter titled "Sheriff's War on Drugs
Is a Wasted Exercise" in the May 23 Pilot.

Camp has his priorities greatly misplaced, stating, "I would like to see
our sheriff deprioritize drug offenses and focus on the murderers, rapists
and robbers in our community, because they are taking away our rights as
Americans." If Camp would do his homework, he would find that the vast
majority of violent crimes, including murders, rapes and robberies, involve
drugs, whether the offender is on them at the time of the crime or
committing the crime to fund a drug habit.

Camp further states, "Our country is currently under threat of terrorist
attack. Why are these dangerous criminals being given room to breathe for
the sake of a ridiculous war on drugs?" Again, do your homework. Much of
the terrorists' activities are being funded by the sale of illicit
narcotics, and no one knows how many terrorist attacks have been thwarted
by the arrest and incarceration of terrorists for narcotics offenses.

I will give Camp credit on one thing. I agree we probably will never win
the war on drugs. If the druggies want the drugs, they will get them. But
we cannot just surrender. We must keep fighting for the sake of our
children. And contrary to Camp's comment that "the United States has been
in this war on drugs for many years without ever winning any real
victories." I feel that every child who grows up without being hooked on
drugs is a major victory.

One more thing, Mr. Camp. I do feel safer knowing my neighbors do not smoke
marijuana or do cocaine. And to all the law officers in Moore County: Good
job and go get 'em!

Sherri Evans