NO JOB FOR AMATEURS

I read of Kate Patton losing her daughter to an overdose and then turning
into a crusader [news story, May 13]. Now she serves on a state drug task
force and has met the president. Despite all the attention she's getting,
Patton admits a complete lack of knowledge about drugs and drug policy.
Unfortunately, Patton is being used by these politicians, being victimized
again.

We need experts to formulate drug policy--not politicians or these media
figures, so we get real information and not hysterical propaganda from pols
who fear any investigation into other options. After all, it is they who
rail against groups that try to disseminate drug information that kids can
use to stay alive simply because it is based in harm reduction. Maybe it
would have kept Kelley Patton alive. Drug hysteria sure never kept anyone
alive.

Dave Michon, Eau Claire, Wis.