Pubdate: Thu, 08 Dec 2005 Source: Phoenix New Times (AZ) Copyright: 2005 New Times, Inc. Contact: http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/640 Author: Connie Serrano Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1736/a06.html PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS: Of all the other drugs that have plagued our society, meth is the worst. It causes people to get into a vicious cycle. There has been so much made over crack cocaine, but though it gets most of the publicity, it has not taken nearly the toll that meth has. How often do you hear of somebody on crack shooting and killing a cop, like that young crank-head did here in Phoenix? Maggie Voss' story was so uplifting, because after reading your original stories in your meth series ("The New Boss," Joe Watson, Robert Nelson and Paul Rubin, November 3, it seemed that there was no hope at all. Now I see that people can be cured of the plague of meth. It takes commitment on the addict's part, but mothers addicted to meth shouldn't be written off. Motherhood is the strongest force there is -- once the mother can see through her drug haze, she will return to her kids at all costs. It's not surprising that punishment-crazy Arizona law enforcement authorities are missing the point on how to make a bad situation better. Maybe the smart ones in the police community will read your stories and take a different tack. Thanks for not doing what the news media usually does -- load us down with problems and offer no solutions. Connie Serrano, Tucson - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake