Many questions in pharmacy murders

Regarding the shooting in Medford ["Cops say he's the killer," News, June 23], while there could never be a cogent explanation for such a horrific act, there are many questions that need to be asked. Why does a local pharmacy carry so many narcotic pills such as oxycodone?

There is an epidemic of prescription drug abuse in our community that has eluded the public forum. There are far too many people becoming addicted to these medications by the actions of their well-meaning pain-management physicians.

This does not excuse anyone's personal responsibility. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the medical community need to monitor the out-of-control prescribing of these dangerous drugs.

Dr. Michael Castellano, Oyster Bay
 

The cold, heartless, murderer who gunned down four defenseless and innocent people in that Medford pharmacy needs to be dealt with within the maximum allowed by the law.

Justice needs to meted out. He took the lives of four innocent people and shattered the lives of their friends and families forever.

John Amato, Fresh Meadows
 

The story of David Laffer, the alleged killer of the four people at the Medford drugstore, is a sad one. Not only because of the innocent victims of his killing spree, but because of the life that led him to commit this sordid attack. According to the newspapers, he doesn't have a criminal record.

Laffer went into the Army right after high school, and upon returning, took a job as a factory clerk, which he held for eight years until he was fired -- for stealing from a co-worker. Like many vets, it seems that Laffer got hooked on drugs and needed money to sustain his and his wife's habits.

Who is joining the Army today? With no draft, the Army is, for the most part, getting the high school graduates who barely made it out, who have GED diplomas, who have little or no marketable skills, or live in rural areas where there is little opportunity for a good job. So they go and do their duty, and when they come home, then what? Factory clerk? Burger flipper? Not the kind of job that'll get them the trappings of the good life.

As a high school teacher, I see it every day: students who are average, fail multiple courses, eke out extra credits through a credit-recovery program, and graduate by the skin of their teeth. A large number are heading for the Army because they feel they have no other option.

The Army should work with multinational companies to set up recruitment programs for returning vets. The companies should be obligated to hire a certain number of soldiers every year, provide training where necessary, pay for a college education (to relieve the Army of that burden), and pay for counseling, if needed.

This would go a long way toward erasing the recent corporate black eyes while giving our vets a chance at a good life.

Barbara Mehlman, Great Neck
 

As a retired law enforcement officer I would like to ask why a local pharmacy had a gigantic stock of hydrocodone? Ten thousand pills should be enough to supply a couple of thousand people. This cannot be normal. Did the killer know of this stash, and did the pharmacy know him from previous purchases?

Jerome Nathanson, Deer Park