Pubdate: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 Source: Toccoa Record, The (GA) Copyright: 2009 The Toccoa Record Contact: http://www.thetoccoarecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5073 Author: R.S. Chambers Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n1081/a03.html AS LONG AS DRUGS ARE SOLD, PROBLEMS ARISE It seems that some people's ignorance is exceeded only by their stupidity. Frank Whittle's current letter (The Toccoa Record Dec. 3) not only calls everyone who is against the epidemic of drugs and the war on drugs a bunch of liars (even accusing the police and D.A. of making up "facts"), but continues to decry the black community as the reason for the "so-called drug problem." He then concludes the drug task force and or police are using the citizens of Stephens County as target practice dummies! Allow me to enlighten a seeming clouded mind. While it is true that many drug dealers/users are black, there are just as many or more from every race. They just haven't been caught. Mexican, Puerto Rican, white, American Indian, you name it. And drugs are not confined to Currahee Street. Many arrests have been made in Martin, (by the lake), Wal-Mart's parking lot, Stephen Drive, Colonial Drive, Hwy 365, I-85 and many gas stations all over the county. The only reason Whittle spouts on about Currahee is that is where the shooting of the Rev. Ayers occurred. Prior to the shooting, where was Whittle with his inane commentary on the fallacy of drugs? Mr. Whittle seems more concerned about the fact that a preacher was shot than the reasons behind it. Also, one must realize the on set of other crimes due to drugs. Chief among them prostitution, theft/robbery; assault and even murder and rape. Only a moron would deny any problem with drugs, unless you are using them yourself. The old adage "Me think he doth protest to much" comes to mind. Regardless, even school children realize the problem with drugs. Period. No debate, no commentary. Enough beating the dead horse. Aside from the police/Drug Task Force doing a great job of getting drugs off the streets, they need help from the other aspects of the legal system. No more nollo pleas! Plain and simple. No easy going on dopers. Get rid of the namby pamby judges who do not have the guts to give dope dealers hard time in prison. Had this been the case in the Kayla Barrett issue, Rev. Ayers may still be alive today as he would not have been in that position to start with! Any judge who puts fines and probation before justice has got to go. A new law has to be passed where doing drugs are illegal (as it stands, its not illegal to do drugs just possess them) called internal possession of controlled substances. This means when someone is on drugs, they can be arrested and charged under possession laws! In short, as long as the drugs are being used and sold, problems will always arise, only by ridding the drugs will things change! R.S. Chambers Martin - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D