Tom, Billy

One of you stole a $50 bill from my wallet sometime between 3 p.m. and 4:30 on Sunday June 29,1997. I expect it's return by Monday at 6 p.m. otherwise you both owe me $50. It is a tragic day where I cannot leave my belongings unprotected especially from my own children. Whichever of you did this I feel very sorry for you and very sad that I can no longer trust you. It is a pain that will take much to overcome.

If this sort of chicanery happens again, I will have no choice but to evict either or both of you(dependent upon who)from my house and I will encourage your mother to do the same. If you are under my custody the way Tommy is now, I'll go to the Magistrate and ask for him to relieve me of that duty which more than likely will require either your mother to take custody or imprisonment.

We all know what Tommy's drugs of choice are and that hopefully the first step he will be taking very soon will gain him the internal discipline to resist hard drugs. As for you Billy, you seem to be lapsing into a lethargy similar to someone who smokes pot on a regular basis. Why are you doing this to yourself? You have such a promising future that can't be just made up by turning a switch on and off!!

I've heard some of your arguments of why you use drugs and while my generation started this crap..it certainly doesn't make it right This world now has a pestilence called drug abuse that consumes 8% of the world economy..of equal value to world textile trade!! Just look around and see the human waste that this is causing. Can't you see?

I don't know what the answer is but your continued use of illegal drugs will eventually drive a wedge between our relationships that will harm you and greatly sadden me. The choice is yours and God help give us the courage and the wisdom to confront this terrible problem you are having!!

Well..this was a foolish letter. Tommy did steal $50 out of my wallet. I don't know what Billy thought of my accusations. It was such a bad time. My heart goes out to anyone who has to go thru this.