On Wednesday, I read an article in The Birmingham News about a sweep to pull up, burn and destroy marijuana plants found growing in counties throughout Alabama. On Thursday, a letter writer said she is against this because the plants that are being pulled up are of no value on the black market (termed "ditchweed"). Does anyone else see a problem with this view?

I realize taxpayers are paying for the labor, equipment, etc., for these county sweeps to be done, and some people might be upset by this because of the ditchweed being destroyed. Is it a waste of time and taxpayer money to have illegal drugs destroyed throughout our state? I think not. I will gladly pay, because I have seen firsthand the devastation that drugs can cause to families and relationships.

I say destroy them all, regardless of the value of the plants. Destroying marijuana in this fashion is another step in the right direction to stamping out illegal drugs in Alabama. To those people working in this effort, keep up the good work.

Emily Creel

Hoover

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