Dear FRONTLINE,

"The Meth Epidemic" was atrociously unbalanced, and our nation is stumbling into a grossly exaggerated methamphetamine hysteria -- let's call it "Tweaker Madness" -- and you've done plenty to fan the flames of this problem.

Your producers clearly sympathized with, and exclusively interviewed, agents and advocates of the U.S. government's doomed, counterproductive War on Some Drugs. Nowhere did you interview even one advocate for a rational drug policy. Nowhere did you allow anyone to point out how restricting access to common cold medicines creates inconvenience for the vast majority of citizens who are law-abiding, but some of whom are vulnerable to acute or chronic respiratory infections or allergies.

You allowed drug-prevention experts to speculate about the compounded societal costs of intergenerational addiction. But you allowed no one to address the costs (in bloated expenditures, needless violence, and corrupted law-enforcement officials) of a losing drug war.

Even so, your documentary ended by conceding the very point its muzzled respondents would have made: the War on Meth has failed. Even with cold pills locked up from Oregon to Kentucky, meth production and usage rates have rebounded to at least their 1990s peaks.

If Frontline really wanted to help reduce the harm associated with drug abuse, you could interview the many experts who study the complex factors by which drugs lend themselves to less abuse -- and to far less collateral damage -- in nations that don't share the Unites States' Puritan heritage or our harsh drug laws. But that would require far more nuance than the hack producers of this cop/narc hagiography could manage.

This was absolutely the worst, most unbalanced FRONTLINE since Richard Rhodes' love note to the treacherous nuclear-power industry. Do you exercise no controls over producers who suffer from such a myopic, skewed point of view?

Berkeley, CA

Dear FRONTLINE,

As a former meth/drug user it is hard to put into perspective the immense disease meth is giving the world. The likelihood of this problem going away any time soon is not. As a country with so much wealth and power we are powerless to addiction if we do not confront and deal with the problems head on.

The lack of rehabilitational services provided by the government to adress this pandemic is something I have experienced first hand . Those who are trying to get clean can't afford a private treatment program costing thousands and thousands of dollars. Government run hospitals will not take drug induced patients, and 30 day treatment program is not long enough to put back the pieces of a broken life and learn how to function on a daily basis without using.

Many people wonder why their children,family,friends become addicted in the first place? This country is fueled by addictions food,alcohol,perscriptions,etcetera. One addiction fules another. When you watch T.V. how many persciption pill/drug ads do you see, or food and alcohol? We are being condition into thinking taking something that "makes you feel better right now" is a good life style. This is no different with meth because after all it's made from the same stuff that was on the T.V. ads. There is no quick fix pill for meth. Meth is not gender,race,class specific and many times is a generational addiction thats why it is such an alarming problem.

Rehab should be a primary focus because incarcerating offenders does nothing for users because they donot learn any tools help them build new lives,while locked up they meet more addicts and continue criminal activties behind bars. Left behind are entire families,communities torn apart because of meth. The children are the real casualty of meth because for many of them they become part of the vicious cycle and go one to become users themselves.

Erin .
Phoenix, Arizona

Dear FRONTLINE,

I thought Frontline again did a fine job on reporting the Meth crisis in America. In an hour, it's impossible to cover all the bases, but Frontline brought the major points out. Also, PBS is to be commended for such a fine website on the issue.

The big problem still lies with demand. The culture that spawns this crisis is one where people must 'feel good'. Once again, divorce and broken homes are contributing factors. Also, the user's total disregard for themself and others is evident.

I find it amazing that less than 40 years ago we did not have the drug problem we have today. Even though people were poor they lived with their doors unlocked. In elementary school children even brough guns to school for show and tell - no one ever got hurt. People that were hungry were brought into people's homes and fed - then they did a few chores to compensate for their meal and on they went.

What happened to our culture? We need to ask ourselves as a culture whether personal peace and an access to chemisty are what the good life is all about?

If that's the goal, then the Meth problem is going to continue to explode. I think Chuch Colson, of Watergate fame, in his new book the Good Life addresses some of the root morale causes behind this and other problems we are experiencing as a culture. Frontline might consider doing a special on the so called Good Life, where it's taking us.

Gary Livingston
Milan, Ohio

Dear FRONTLINE,

I started my DEA career on a Meth TF in San Diego in the early nineties. I have watched this drug cross the country. I am glad to see that someone has shown the light on the dirty secret that many in my career have known for years. This could have been stopped but lobbyists in backroom deals kept the pseudo flowing. I am glad to see that it is out in the open. I hope that you continue to beat the drum on this issue.

Annapolis, MD

Dear FRONTLINE,

This was a great piece. I was particularily disturbed by the Pfizer spokesman's attitude about restricting the purchase of their products. I hope that other consumers respond in the best way possible - their purchasing power.

As a recent transplant from the East Coast, I can verify that the impact on the West Coast is definitely more, but time should, unfortunately, balance it out. I hope that the lobbyists see the light and do not make another mistake our children will pay for.

Sue R
Olympia, WA

Dear FRONTLINE,

I see everyday what it does to families. I also know people can beat this with the right support and the understanding that the meth makes good people bad. My husband is a recovering addicit clean 12.5 yrs. It can be done he fights everday day to stay clean but so far has won the battle. There is hope if we all work together and congress starts walking our streets,talking to the public,and most of all listening to people,not people in congress but real life people they need to listen and try just try to understand.

Thank you for reading and remember there is hope.

amy wilson
roseburg, oregon

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am saddened to see the pharmaceutical industry maintaining it's position as a bad actor in this crisis.Worse, the corporate interests are valued higher than human.

When will we wake up and take back our representatives? Pharma Lobbyists need to be shown for what they are!Sharks

Pullman, WA

Dear FRONTLINE,

My 25 year old son's life has been destroyed because of meth. He was once a loving, intelligent, God fearing person. His father passed away at the young age of 53 he also was a user.

Isaac has been in jail,psycharitric facilities, hospitals, beat up many people.Policeman are abused by meth users and in jail they abuse them back.my son beat his father into critical condition after his father molested him.Tells me things that make no sense at all, the talking in his head, he can read minds etc.Psychotic as psychotic can be.Most doctors that I have tlked with say we can keep him but he will be using again as soon as we release him.

How can we change this? I have worked for three years to get him rehabilitated. It is more than heartbreaking. I have been diagonosed with major depression.Skid Row in Los Angeles sells meth on every corner. My son had a heart attack.How many other mothers suffer, cry, reach out to over filled facilities that give up hope.No money limits the stay.Reagan did no good in this regard. They are released psychotic and back on the streets, homeless crazed.Using again and again.

We as parents get blamed for waiting so long to do something about it. It is a terrible addiction. And they are worried that cold sufferers will have to go to the pharmacy to buy the drug that are killing our young our middle aged, blue collar, white collar. Sudafed should stop being fabricated.Nothing stops the common cold as we all know. The drug companies are obviously making the money, along with the meth labs. How about sending out the national guard, seek out the meth labs we have not found weapons of mass destruction. but we can find those who our killing our children,husbands,uncles,aunts, sisters and brothers.

Judy
Alta Loma, CA

Dear FRONTLINE,

I also find myself questioning the usual rational explaining why people find themselves in addiction. Its become an automatic response from a drug abuser to cite broken homes, a history of addiction in the family or growing up in a bad area, etc. To be sure, there are mountains of data to affirm this statistical trend. But I believe that there are under-lying causes that go much deeper than this, and they reflect a society that has taken a wrong turn sometime during the latter half of the last century. When and why did America begin producing citizens that gulp down any drug they can get their hands on? Why now? Is it our success? Culture? Materialism?

Brian Mahoney
Rockland, MA

Dear FRONTLINE,

This edition of frontline definitley exposes the ignorance of congress. Meth has always been around me when I was growing up in southern California, but now that it is spreading to the east coast congress is finally starting to pay a little attention. I found the statistics to be really intriguing. Each time congress passes a new "regulation", the cooks adjust to it.

However, I would have to disagree with the addiction statistics. I am a former meth addict and I was addicted for about a year and a half at the age of 16 and 17. Out of nowhere i just quit cold turkey, no rehab or anything like that and I havent relapsed ever since. I also know many friends who have done the same. I have no signs of ever doing meth even though I lost 60 pounds while I was on it. I gained my weight back and am perfectly healthy. In the end, we have to ask ourselves why are we using this drug. Society cannot be changed overnight, but a person can. I wonder if there are statistics to measure cases like mine? It's all about will power.

Eddie Shiflet
Tempe, Arizona

Dear FRONTLINE,

Crystal meth is a devastating drug. My cousin is a crystal meth user, and she now has schizophrenia caused by the drug use. To tell you the truth, I am surprized that she is still alive. She used to be a model and actress, and now she appears to be about 25 years older than her age.

As a nurse, I have seen the effects of this drug in our communities. It is a sad commentary that our government refuses to see the extreme problem that Meth has become in our society.

Licet Zalma
Culver City, California

Dear FRONTLINE,

Writing from Idaho, which receives most of its consumed meth or "dope" from Mexico; I don't see much of a case for making pharmacy workers police the supply. If I were needing large quantities I would just find a better way to steal...not buy it.

The retired #3 fellow from the DEA mentioned better relations and documentation with the nine manufactures aroudn the world. This sounds a lot closer to getting to the root than anything else.

Thank you for an outstanding, mind opening program!!

Bryce Peppard
Nampa, ID

Dear FRONTLINE,

If you don't think this drug is as bad as the Frontline special says it is, it just means you haven't been exposed to it...yet.

I used to have a job where I gave cash to people selling goods, in my case something as benign as used books. I saw so many people spun on this drug. I continue to see them every single time I ride the bus, and I ride the bus every day of my life. I can not take a trip down 82nd (a main drag in Portland) without spotting at least one meth addict, usually many more. If you aren't afraid of this drug, get some fear. It will be healthy for your community.

David Morgan
Portland, Oregon

Dear FRONTLINE,

As a American and a nurse I am very angry that our government has allowed pharmaceutical companies to make and supply OTC ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine for so long when Dr. Haislip has wanted this to stop for over 20 years. I think this is our major problem. The greed of the pharm companies to allow such a tragic effect on unsuspecting people is horrible and so is our federal government which continues to let them make it.

There are many natural remedies to prevent and treat cold symptoms but these are also suppressed by our government. Many alternative medicine people know the government is in bed with the pharm. companies, the FDA, lobbyists etc. Congress must take a strong, ethical stand and stop this problem. Thank you for an excellent presentation.

Linda ONeill
Pasadena, CA

Dear FRONTLINE,

I just want to say there was only a brief clip that seemed to portray an unaddicted mother and wife, and the choice she had to make.

I have been an innocent mother and wife of an addicted husband. I had tough choices and no back up from law enforcement in my community. My ex delt with the mexican Mafia and our home was burned down and I was treated by the law as just as guilty, (by association)even after I had my husband leave the home. I faced the mafia alone. Phone calls threatening to kill me or kiddnap my Son if I didn't pay his debts. I had to finally answer the phone and tell them on the other end to bring it on and lets see who shoots faster and straighter (I was armed with a 45 and told by police to make sure I hit my target).

I did this alone living in a mobile home, which is not much defence against bullets. Eventually I found someone who took me and my son into their home where we could hide but let me tell you it's no life. I take it from the broadcast that dealing with the Mafia is preferable to the parinoid kitchen cooks, for me that would seem easier by far way easier to personally protect ourselves from.

Faith Dupre
palisade, Colorado