LAZBUDDIE BUST

IF EVER THERE WERE a case that illustrated the vast and the sad
manner that drugs have infiltrated our society, it is the recent drug
bust in Lazbuddie.

Lazbuddie is a fine community, populated by about 100 good West
Texans, about 70 miles northwest of Lubbock. The small town is not
the kind of place where one would expect to find a 74-year-old man
growing and selling marijuana.

But that is apparently what happened. William Vernon Puckett was
arrested after 250 pounds of marijuana were found growing in a
cornfield and drying in a barn on property where he lived. He pleaded
guilty and was sentenced to 10 years' probation and fined $5,000.

Parmer County District Attorney Johnny Actkinson refused to discuss
the plea agreement with an Avalanche-Journal reporter or say whether
there are more suspects. He said he does not discuss things like that
with the newspaper.

We would respectfully remind Mr. Actkinson that news media represent
the public. And the public understandably is concerned about the
situation in Lazbuddie and should be entitled to openness.

Parmer County Sheriff Randy Geries was more forthcoming. He said the
investigation continues and that there are many other suspects
involved. We wish the sheriff luck in his investigation of them.

We find it to be terribly sad that the lure of easy money from drugs
is so powerful in our society. Thousands of people are damaging and
destroying their lives by using or selling drugs.

Now more than ever, it is evident that the evils of drug manufacture
and sales are not something that occurs only on the sleazy streets of
rundown urban areas. They have invaded every nook and cranny of
America's heartlands. Lazbuddie's drug case points to a terrible
cancer in American life that has grown to a frightening proportion.