My friend, Todd, is a police officer.  We had lunch last week and as usual I was asking him about his job.  "Busting crackheads," he said.  "That's my day. . .crack, meth. . . and heroine is making a comeback."  He laughed and shook his head.  "I hate needles.  I can't imagine wanting to stick one in your own arm."

"Most of the crime reports you hear about anymore are drug related.  People stealing to get money for drugs.  Everything they do is around getting more drugs.  I know a dealer who told me he was quitting.  He told me he was quitting because it was going to kill him.  He uses meth which is a particularly nasty drug made with drano and all sorts of other toxic ingredients.  He said he hadn't slept in 17 days.  17 days.  Can you imagine that?"

"It is a different world," I suggested.  "Yes it is," he replied.  "They have whole families built around the enterprise of getting money for more drugs.  The kids have never once seen their father get up and go to work in the morning so what do you think those kids will do?"

We changed the subject.