Pubdate: Mon, 08 Aug 2005
Source: Corvallis Gazette-Times (OR)
Copyright: 2005 Lee Enterprises
Contact: http://www.mvonline.com/support/contact/GTedletters.php
Website: http://www.gazettetimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2976
Author: Ken Real
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

NEW METH LAW WILL REIN IN CRIMES

As a narcotics detective that supported the new methamphetamine law, I am 
terribly sorry for the inconvenience that it may cause. But the fact is, 
not all cold medicines will require a prescription. The law affects only 
those that have pseudophedrine as an active ingredient. If you walk into 
any business that sells cold medicine, you will find plenty of brands that 
do not contain pseudophedrine, and they will work just as well. Yes, a few 
people will need pseudophedrine-based cold medicine but most will not.

So when I hear the crying and moaning about a little inconvenience, I wish 
I could take those people with me the next time I serve a drug search 
warrant. I would ask them how inconvenient it is for the children I find 
living in a toxic-filled room, abused and neglected.

I would ask how inconvenient it is for the taxpayers and property owners 
who are stuck with a clean-up bill costing well into the thousands of 
dollars. I would ask how inconvenient it is for the addicts who cannot get 
off the drug without help. I would ask if their inconvenience and suffering 
inflicted by a cold was worth a human life.

To the politicians who supported and passed this law: Thank you. We needed 
strong leadership. To those who continue to spread fear and lies and 
complain of inconvenience: You have shown you lack the courage to make the 
right choice.

Ken Real

Adair Village
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MAP posted-by: Beth