Pubdate: Thu, 24 Aug 2000
Source: Idaho State Journal (ID)
Copyright: 2000 Idaho State Journal
Contact:  PO Box 431, Pocatello ID 83204
Fax: 208-233-8007
Website: http://www.journalnet.com/
Author: Jackie Lee, Alex and Becy Lee

DRUG USE EARNS CONSEQUENCE

To Larry McCormack, inmate no. 58616 Pod E of Bannock County Jail.

In response to your July 13 letter "Inmate's Lament". We don't understand 
why you don't understand. You're serving time in jail because you "one day 
made a mistake and got involved with meth."

The Pocatello Police Department (a group of highly trained professionals) 
received credible leads. After running surveillance on you and your 
household, they had gathered enough facts to warrant your arrest. Enough 
evidence was found that the Hazardous Material Team had to be brought in 
for clean-up at the expense of the taxpayers.

You see we feel that even though we do not manufacture, deal, or use drugs, 
it would be very dangerous to become involved with someone who has a 
methamphetamine lab even casually.

God gave us a gift, FREEDOM OF CHOICE. You chose to become part of the drug 
world. You chose not to consider the repercussions, or how much you would 
stand to lose in life, including retirement.

The discovery of your involvement in drugs brought a great amount of shame, 
humiliation, and stress to your family. In fact your ill, aging father had 
to loan you $10,000 for legal expenses.

Quit crying and start thinking of how you can start over and make 
retribution. Your sentence has already been reduced to three months instead 
of six because Koger Excavation & Sons chose to become involved in your 
case and gave you a job on a work release program. This tells us that you' 
have been given assistance from your friends to go forward.

You said "I hope my family and friends don't follow in my footsteps. Please 
Don't." Not to worry, your former friends won't. If anyone were to follow 
in your footsteps, shame on you. As Americans we firmly believe in the 
D.A.R.E. program. JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS!

You asked "where is my country and flag now? I don't understand." Your 
country and your flag are right here, sick to death of people who get 
involved with poisonous drugs that kill adults and children alike, and 
destroy families.

Now do you understand?

Jackie Lee, Pocatello, and Alex and Becy Lee, Moreno San Jose, Calif.
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