Pubdate: Thu, 03 Jul 2008 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2008 The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www.tbo.com/news/opinion/submissionform.htm Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446 Author: Steve Johnson Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n625/a11.html NOT A VICTIMLESS CRIME Regarding "Drug War Is A Waste" (Letters, June 27): There are no injuries in drug crimes? Did you ever sit in on a classroom of adult females in jail who tell stories of days and nights jumping into eight to 10 strangers' cars to feed a crack addiction? These ladies, once upon a time, were someone's daughter, someone's pride and joy. Did you ever talk to a parent whose only son was gunned down at 19 years old because he was addicted to the hustle of dealing drugs? Have you noticed our neighborhoods being polluted with aspiring young gangsters making a name for themselves? The argument is tired and outdated. The race for a satisfying high has led to far more potent and dangerous drugs. These narcotics and chemicals of today suck the soul right out of our young people. By portraying the injectors of these poisons as victims only perpetuates problems that our children, nephews, nieces and neighborhoods are all so very vulnerable to. But I guess it's not the dealers fault, is it? STEVE JOHNSON, Tampa - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom