PoliceLink

There is a war on folks, against drugs. We spend countelss man hours and money on this deteriorating delima. However, there is another narcotic readily available, used by all ages, killing folks of all ages, yet, it is socially accepted. The number one place of availability of this narcotic is in the home. 'A right of passage" as it is called, when the adults pass on the narcotic to thier siblings for consumption. As the older have done, the younger get addicted to the narcotic and when older will pass it on to their siblings and so on and so on and so on.

The tragic results of this narcotic are repeated everyday on our nations highways. This addictive drug is slaughtering the innocents. The one who chooses to use this drug and drive a vehicle gives the innocent ones killed no choice. The one who makes the decision is the one who inflicts countlss loss and tragedy, and unbelievable pain upon the families of the ones killed in the resulting choice. A Driving While Intoxicated offence is not an accident, but a choice. A choice made by the one drunk and driving.

It is time America woke up to this growing deadly epidemic. Countless innocent people of all ages, from all walks of life are being killed everyday on our highways by a drunk driver. From one who has lost a daughter in 2004, a single 36 year old mom with a little boy, just 4.2 miles from her home, and as one who has worked more fatality wrecks due to alcohol in my 34 years in Law Enforcement, I can tell you it is past time for some major changes in oiur laws and the application thereof.

The families of not only the one killed, but the families of the one doing the killing are affected for the rest of their lives. The mental, physical, and monetary loss are staggering. I have known more than one good hard working Mom and Dad that have worked all their lives to build up a business and security for them in retirement, and for their kids, only to have it all drained from them for legal fees, civil suits, and resulting damage awards in court.  I personally know two good men who have died from a broken heart over the tragic results of their kids actions in regards to killing someone or more than one on the highway while drunk.  In restrosptect, the families of the ones killed can never again hold, hear, see, or envision the future of their loved ones killed at the hands of a drunk driver. It shatters the dreams of all touched by it. 

I pray that in my lifetime I see more stricter laws and more stricter enforcement of them in regards to the Driving While Intoxicated epidemic. Now is the time to make a difference. Once a knock on door is heard it is too late. Bob Lester. Midland, Texas.