Many times I have heard people on this list say the "drug" problems we are 
currently experiencing on the streets of a select group of neighborhoods in 
Mpls. would all just go away if drugs were legalized." You are absolutely 
correct. 
 
However, they aren't legal and as a result streets like mine have been the 
supermarkets for them. With all due respect it feels almost condescending to 
hear people from neighborhoods that do not experience this travesty to say "if 
they were legal the problem would go away". 
 
While we are waiting for the wisdom of the many people who do not live with 
this problem in their daily lives to "see the light" and push for national 
legislative changes to our archaic drug laws, I choose not to tolerate the 
violence and livability issues caused by out of control crack, heroine or meth 
addicts that terrorize our streets. 
 
I also view it as a big slap in the face and counterproductive disconnect when 
the corner store by my house sells crack pipes or other drug paraphenalia. I 
know it's not going to encourage or discourage drug use. But, why make it so 
dang convenient for them? I am irritated that the store owner would be that 
blatant about their lack of concern for the neighborhood they are doing 
business in. None of the dozen or more owners of the corner store by my house 
live anywhere near this neighborhood. They leave here at night and go to the 
comfort of their home in the suburbs somewhere or in a neighborhood that 
doesn't contend with drug problems.
 
My history with the corner store owners that sell drug paraphanelia is that in 
all likelihood they are also selling drugs under the counter, fencing stolen 
goods, running prostitutes, commiting EBT fraud and other livability crimes. I 
am not making a general statement about every corner store in Mpls. I am just 
stating that my personal experience with the store by my house has been that 
"where there is smoke, there is fire". 
 
Barb Lickness
Whittier   


"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change 
the world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead
REMINDERS:
1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If 
you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL 
PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.

2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.

For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html
For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract
________________________________

Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn 
E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org
Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls

Reply via email to