Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jan 2006
Source: Cherokee Scout, The (Murphy, NC)
Copyright: 2006 The Cherokee Scout
Contact:  http://www.thecherokeescout.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2314
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUG LAW A STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION

The war against illegal drugs is heating up in North Carolina, and anyone
involved in the sordid business will pay.

Murphy police arrested a third person last week in the
methamphetamine overdose death of 24-year-old Donald Keith Owle.
Ramona Lynn Gilbert, 40, was charged with conspiracy and maintaining a
dwelling for selling a controlled substance.

Officials with the Murphy Police Department said the drug was sold to
Owle at Gilbert's residence. Amar Dessean Patterson, 22, and
Christopher Justin Wheeling, 23, have also been charged in Owle's
death. The relatively new law opens anyone involved in a drug
transaction that results in the death of another criminally liable.
The person who actually sold the drug can be charged with
second-degree murder. The same laws apply to those involved in
alcohol-related offenses.

This is a good idea. Anyone involved in the illegal drug trade or
anyone who turns a blind eye to criminal activity should pay a heavy
price. A 2004 Department of Health and Human Services study revealed
the rate of overdose deaths in North Carolina tripled since 1997.
Maybe this new attack on drugs will prevent more senseless deaths, and
maybe it will cut down on the production, sale and abuse of illegal
and prescription narcotics. Regardless, we applaud local law
enforcement officers for trying to clean up a dirty problem.
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