Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jan 2005
Source: Salem News (MA)
Copyright: 2005 Essex County Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.salemnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3466
Author: Dean Burgess
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n042/a05.html

How do we address the drug epidemic?

ATTACK ON SEVERAL FRONTS

It has become quite clear over the course of the past decade that the abuse
of drugs is a clear and present danger to the safety of society in this
United States.

We as a nation have an obligation to attack the sources of the drugs on all
fronts, from increasing jail time for those who attack the innocent by
procuring these drugs to an all-out law enforcement assault on the
trafficking of this scourge that has afflicted so many people and their
loved ones.

The next step is to find the producers of all classes of drugs from
marijuana, cocaine and the rest of the opiates and bring them to justice
even if it means using military force. We must apply pressure to those
foreign governments who harbor those in the drug trade and we must show them
that we will not allow them to look the other way.

We must also increase funding on securing our borders because this is a
matter of national security. The educational effort must be placed in the
hands of the parents. They are the ones who must shoulder the responsibility
to teach their children the consequences of their actions when it comes to
drug use and abuse.

I agree that hospitals should be required to report drug abuse to the proper
authorities for the sole reason of getting help for those who need it. I
believe that the penalties for marijuana use should be increased so much so
that others will fear the consequences of even having the drug in their
possession.

We cannot allow this drug abuse situation to continue. The cost to this
nation and its citizens is far too costly to just look away.

Dean Burgess

Manchester-by-the-Sea
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MAP posted-by: Josh