This is in response to the Associated Press story of Jan. 12 that reported that there were more deaths from drug overdoses in Maine last year than deaths from highway accidents.

Why does Gov. John Baldacci want to use state funds to make up for the loss of federal funds for drug enforcement agents in response to these deaths when most of the deaths were from the misuse of prescription drugs? Shouldn’t he be talking to the people who prescribe and dispense the drugs?

Besides, as Jimmy Carter points out on page 191 of his book, “Our Endangered Values,” current federal fiscal policy threatens funding for ” … health, education, welfare, housing, environmental quality and the creation of jobs.” If we used state funds for some of these deficits, we might well have fewer deaths from drug overdoses.

I doubt that continuing the funding for drug enforcement agents is the answer since the deaths have steadily increased since the Feds forced them upon us in the first place.

Jim Tierney, Auburn