Is there no end to the Drug Plague?
Last year,our nation’s capital passed the murder-a-day mark,and the number of homicides is now up some 50percent from that level.More than half of these killings are drug-related.In 1988New York City had its most violent year ever,with 1896homicides.Many of these involved drugs.Such homicides are also a problem iii Detroit,Baltimore,St.Louis,Los Angeles,Phoenix and scores of other cities where drug gangs war against one another and use violence to spread their deadly trade.In Bankhead Courts,and Atlanta housing project,drug-related crime has reached the point where mail carriers have had to depend on increased police patrols at delivery,time.
For years,we have attacked the supply side of the drug crisis,trying to choke off the flow of drugs into our country and stop the networks that distribute them.This strategy has failed miserably.Now it’s time to launch a whole new offensive.We must crack down on drug consumers.
Last year,former First Lady Nancy Reagan had an emotional meeting with the parents of young woman who had died in a train clash that involved an engineer’s use of drugs.After that meeting,Mrs.Reagan said,’If you’re a casual drug user,you’re an accomplice to murder.’
Mary Jane Hatcher,widow of a New York City drug-enforcement agent killed in the drug wars,echoes that sentiment.’Even through the grief,’she said after her husband’s death earlier this year,’I must ask,who really killed Everett Emerson from our society?Look around.We middle-class suburban Americans,we casual users,we dabblers in drugs keep the market in drugs an ever-increasing one.Therefore,Everett Emerson Hatcher was killed by all of us,Nice people.All of you who hear me now and fit this description,all of you must accept the blame for the loss of this good,gentle man.’
A.There Is No End to the Drug Plague
B.Let's Get Tough with Drug User
C.We Must Crack Down on Drug Supplies
D.Everyone Is A Victim of Drug Use