Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 Source: Standard-Examiner (UT) Copyright: 2012 Ogden Publishing Corporation Contact: http://www.standard.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/421 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n042/a03.html Author: Kirk Muse HOME INVADER MAY SHOUT: "POLICE" Editor, I'm writing about Charles F. Trentelman's not-so-thoughtful "Wasatch Rambler" column "An officer dies fighting drugs, a judge consoles a drug dealer." Officer Jared Francom did not die for a noble cause. Officer Francom died during a home invasion in the middle of the night. The person who allegedly killed Francom was growing marijuana for his own personal use. Several decades ago, I was robbed on the street by two assailants who shouted "police freeze." About thirty seconds later I had a gun pointed at me and one of the robbers was going though my pockets. I'll bet that a large percentage, if not the vast majority, of home invasion robberies are committed by people shouting: "Police." One hundred years ago the term, "drug-related crime" did not exist. That's because 100 years ago no drugs were illegal. Back then, drugs like pure pharmaceutical grade heroin were legally available at local grocery stores for pennies per dose. Want to prevent future cops from dying for no good reason? Re-legalize all drugs. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart