ILLICIT DRUG USE BEHIND ATTEMPTED ROBBERY

Regarding the attempted robbery of Lord's Pharmacy, since the odds are high
that the bully who attempted this was under the influence of drugs already
it is understandable that the pharmacist was on "high alert" to the threat
to his life.

Pharmacists and medically-trained people are aware of the state of mind and
resultant loss of respect for anyone that blocks the user's access to drugs.

In the last year I have made maybe three trips into downtown Asheville. On
two of those I witnessed open, unconcealed marijuana use. I can identify
grass fairly easily. This is not right-wing conservative paranoia.
Asheville appears to be abandoning its downtown area to people who openly
disobey recreational drug use laws - laws which are designed for civilized
community living. Drug use is neither mature nor healthy when used to
induce states of mind that we can achieve with patience, selflessness and
integrity. There are no shortcuts to the real thing, even enjoying life.

People who know that use of drugs in this way leads to just the thing that
happened at Lord's are concerned for the inappropriate tolerance that
Asheville is exhibiting towards this behavior.

Pharmacist Michael Overman has decided not to be a victim.

Jacquey Riser,

Marion