DRUG DANGERS

Regarding your Dec. 6 editorial "Looking at drug laws,"
on former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Burley Mitchell's remarks
about decriminalizing some drug offenses:

I hate to burst a utopian bubble, but the end result would not be
relief to the law-abiding taxpayers. Taxpayers would have to foot the
bill in more social services, as drug users usually cannot hold steady
employment and do not have health insurance. Drug rehabilitation has a
slim chance of working because the individual has to be strong enough
and willing to rise to the challenge. Every time a drug-user overdoses
or hurts himself or someone else, a taxpayer's wallet is opening to
foot the bill for the ambulance, police and counseling services.

Nothing would change except the burden. Legalization would mean
greater drug access for our youth. I have been to Denmark and I have
seen that legalization does not work.

If current laws are so stringent, why is it that crack dealers in
Jones County get a $3,000 unsecured bond and beat our police officials
back to the streets? Instead, how about chain gangs working to clean
up the communities -- utilize the manpower, instead of letting them
watch TV.

Anissa Delk Krick

Maysville