LETTER: Vote ‘no’ on Prop B-1

To the editor:

Before my terms as Mayor of Palmer from 2004-2010, I was employed by the State of Alaska as a Juvenile Justice Officer at McLaughlin Youth Center and the Mat-Su Youth Facility for nearly eight years. In addition to counseling delinquent teens, I was also responsible for their supervision and well-being. A large portion of these children had been users of hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and meth.

These drugs were provided on the black market by dealers looking to make a profit. Initially, these teens had no intention other than to purchase marijuana. It was these dealers who suggested they try coke or meth which is, “much better.” It didn’t take long before these kids were hooked and asking for the harder stuff. This led to stealing and robbery to support this much more expensive habit. The dealers couldn’t care less as to what these drugs were doing to our young adults.

I do care. This is why I am urging the voters of Mat-Su to vote NO on Prop. B-1 on Oct. 4th. Mr. Devilbiss’ comparison of Pot to Heroin sounds like something out of, “Reefer Madness”. (Frontiersman Community Spectrum 09/21/2016). Mr. Devilbiss’s “fear” that the Valley will be overrun with homeless deadbeats is ludicrous with absolutely no foundation in facts.

Please! Let’s keep our kids away from profit-seeking black marketers and join the majority of Alaskan voters in legalizing commercial Marijuana. Do it for our kids.

— John Combs

Palmer