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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, January 15, 1993                   TAG: 9301150449
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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WHAT ABOUT DRUG-CONTROL?

I HAVE BEEN following your series on handguns with much disappointment. It seems that throughout the whole series of articles, as well as numerous other recent articles in the news, no one, including the governor, is willing to confront the real issue or answer the most important questions.

First, by way of statistics printed in the Roanoke Times & World-News and on network news, it is stated that most violent crimes are a direct result of either drugs or alcohol. It seems that neither of these can be "controlled," be they legal or illegal. Where are the magic words, "drug control"?

Second, why doesn't the governor focus on enforcing the firearms' laws that are already in effect? It is yet to be proved that even enforcement can control drugs. How are we to believe that new laws will control firearms?

Finally, maybe Gov. Wilder should consider limiting alcohol purchases to one bottle or a six-pack a month and limit convicted drunk drivers to one auto per year. Sure seems to make about as much sense. RICHARD KISER SALEM

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