Op-Ed: Progress in the Fight Against Meth is Underway

Kevin Rau is a Public Affairs Spokesman for the Marion County Sheriff and a former School Resource Officer.

Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - Tim,

It’s fortunate that we live in a country where we can have an educated debate about anything. A right that has been cemented into the very fabric of our society by the millions upon millions that have given selflessly to defend our right to do that. You know I have a great deal of respect for what you do. You also know that I don’t always agree with your point of view.

As I read your OP-ED on the meth and the strike force issue, I flashed back to memories of my years working in the schools as a School Resource Officer, the countless times I talked to kids about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs and yes, the many MANY times I showed kids pictures of the physical consequences of drug use.

I wholeheartedly agree with you when you say that hearing from recovering addicts is very valuable experience. I also agree that the use of shock-and-awe when it comes to sharing information with some kids also has value. There are many great programs, however, that focus on making healthy choices and being good citizens.

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying that people that use drugs are lesser human beings. What I’m saying is that you can’t put all of the blame on government regulation, or deregulation as it were, for the meth problem. Drugs are like any commodity, where there’s a demand, the supply will follow. There’s no doubt that making a substance illegal makes it more sexy for some but there are many “legal” drugs being used illegally.

I agree with you Tim when you say that there is no end in sight. I think we would be remiss, however, were we to just throw up our hands and give up. I know that’s not what you are advocating but as I read your piece, I could see how some people might interpret it that way.

No, government is not perfect. As I’m sure you know, and I hope everyone knows, officials deal with pressure from all directions to take action or promote an issue. My personal experience has been that for the most part, our officials are doing the best they can with the information and resources they have. Instead of beating them up for a genuine….and educated…effort to fight a problem that has an impact on ALL of our lives, maybe we should wait to see if their efforts bear fruit.

Finally, maybe we should shift some blame from government to parents. You and I, as parents, know how trying it can be sometimes, as we do our best to guide our children down the path to a happy healthy life. We also know that kids are subjected to peer pressure, to commercials that “are not directed at teenagers” (ie: beer commercials) and by Hollywood. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve been to homes where the adults have no parenting skills and clearly have set their kids up for failure.

The Meth Strike Force is only one tool. I encourage you to look at it as just that, one tool in a box of many. A sincere concerted effort to combat meth, the scurge that it is.

It’s 2006 not 1983. Lets focus on the future not dwell on the past.

Keep up the great work you do Tim.

To see the article Kevin is referring to, select this link: Op-Ed: Strike Force Police and Meth as a Political Campaign Issue by Tim King Salem-News.com: http://salem-news.com/articles/september132006/meth_oped_91306.php