Pubdate: Sun, 23 Jan 2005
Source: Era-Banner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 The Era-Banner
Contact:  http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/newscentre/erabanner/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2678

POLICE SHOULD BE THANKED, NOT CRITICIZED FOR EFFORTS

Re: Police jumped gun with media release, editorial, Jan. 13.

The law, apparently, allows both sides to present evidence in the form of 
toxicology reports and expert witnesses, as your editorial notes.

Obviously, neither side in this case has been able to say with absolute 
certainty Janette Montgomery was or was not impaired. That shouldn't be 
required before an opinion may be stated.

Having said that, how many drugs did Ms Montgomery have to have in her 
bloodstream before we may state she was impaired?

Your editorial implies the use of the word impaired requires scientifically 
proven data. I believe it does not.

When Janette Montgomery got behind the wheel of a car with three drugs in 
her system, she put all our lives at risk. We all deserve the protection of 
the law. Chief Armand La Barge should be thanked for his continued efforts 
to inform the public the use of drugs and driving is a fatal combination.

Although one of my friends argued "every parent will defend their child 
because they love their child", his wife agreed Ms Montgomery could very 
easily have taken another person's life.

I and many others have wondered aloud, when discussing your editorial if 
you would have been as generous toward the late Ms Montgomery if she had 
taken another person's life with her that day.

I hope this letter causes no additional sorrow to the family of Ms 
Montgomery, but that they understand the sentiments behind it. I can't 
imagine a greater indignity to a parent than having to bury their child.

Tobey Crandell

Thornhill 
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MAP posted-by: Beth