Readers Write: Candidate wants to focus on the issues, not the past

Dear Editor,

I am sorry that the issue about the drug problem in the Sheriff’s race has gotten political and personal. The issue is too big to blame on any one person or office. As an EMT/Paramedic here and in Jefferson County I have seen first hand the violence and human suffering that comes from drug use and addiction. I’ve seen the end result of shootings, stabbings, overdoses, assaults and the breakup of families. We must all work together to solve the drug problem here before there is more related crime and before more families are destroyed by the effects of drug addiction. I will propose a drug task force to attack all aspects of the drug problem from prevention, detection and prosecution to treatment and the restoration of people’s lives free of drugs. I trust the voters of Washington County will choose which of us can better deal with this issue. It will take all of us working together, with God’s help to effectively deal with this problem that is destroying lives and families.

Jim Crouch

Candidate for Sheriff