YOUR COMMENTS

This scares me. My grandmother lives on that street. So glad that no one was hurt.
- Kathy, Bow

Having worked in the ER in N.Conway for while, I know Chief Wagner/we are so fortunate to have he and Officer Walker. Thank God that he and his daughter were not injured, and that this young person is off the road and will face consequences that will hopefully cause her to mature and re-examine her life.
- Joy Gray RN, Center Conway

Response to Jim and Bob:

While alcoholism and addiction are biological and real they are not diseases. Although it can be very hard an addict / alcoholic can choose not to drink and in fact many do so. If you have cancer you can not choose not to have tumors.

Jim said “We also need to start talking about the hundreds of alcohol poisoning deaths, thousands of drivers licenses suspended and the impact that has families, thousands of alcoholics, thousands of jobs lost, tens of thousands of children and spouses abused, tens of thousands of rapes, tens of thousands of ‘mistake’ sexual encounters, thousands of friendship ruined by intemperate words, thousands of bones broken in bar fights, millions of hours ruined by hangovers, billions of dollars down the hole etc. etc”.

Well Jim alcohol does not make you a different person it just lowers you inhibitions. If you abuse your spouse, rape, or fight it is because you are a bad person and make bad decisions.

If you continually drive drunk, rape, or abuse your spouse you need to go to jail.

Bob G
- Bob G, Brentwood

Well Bob,
Lets keep talking about it, especially with our legislators, and maybe we can make drunkenness more and more socially unacceptable.
- Jim, Manchester

Jim

Yourabsolutely correct but it's still socially acceptable and it will probally always will be. It takes far more lives than many other substance abuse situations.

Alcohol abuse is a disese thats in the DNA. A real problem that many Americans simply cannot overcome. As you said, so many lives are ruined by it. My Father was a heavy drinker but I did not inherit that genes....my brother did.

By the way I hear (unconfirmed) NH will again revise the DUI laws on the first of Jan, 2010. First offense will then require a breath test machine in the convicted's vehicle as well as enhanced penalities.
- Bob, Derry

DWI is not the problem, its 1 symptom. Drunkenness is the problem.

We also need to start talking about the hundreds of alcohol poisoning deaths, thousands of drivers licenses suspended and the impact that has families, thousands of alcoholics, thousands of jobs lost, tens of thousands of children and spouses abused, tens of thousands of rapes, tens of thousands of ‘mistake’ sexual encounters, thousands of friendship ruined by intemperate words, thousands of bones broken in bar fights, millions of hours ruined by hangovers, billions of dollars down the hole etc. etc. And for what? Because it feels so good??? What justification could you possibly have for this carnage that alcohol has wreaked in our society?

I don’t advocate prohibition; there is nothing wrong with social drinking and responsible consumption. But, in my experience, there is also nothing wrong with being a teetotaler.
Driving while intoxicated is one part of the much larger problem of drunkenness. I think we need a much stronger sobriety, temperance, responsibility, and anti-drunkenness message at all levels of society (especially parental) to offset the marketing and peer pressure pro-alcohol message faced by people of all ages.

Even drinkers who think of themselves as ‘responsible’ make mistakes; mistakes that are over, above, and in addition to, the mistakes we all make when we are stone sober. So less drinking means less risk of a mistake. Right?
- Jim, Manchester

I don't have any problem with someone using marijuana, just as I don't have any problem with someone have a few drinks.

I have a major problem with people chosing to engage in behavior that puts others at risk after they've chosen to put themselves in an impaired state. All violations and crimes committed while impaired should be prosecuted as if the individual deliberately planned the crimes.
- Michael D. Houst, Barrington, NH

As it seems that law is now being quoted that will clear up any confusion on that matter. However from the article, as was my original point, it mentions that she was arrested for "drunk driving", while driving under the influence is the term in common usage for "drugged driving". I guess I'll wait for her blood work to come in before I comment further.
- Joe, Manchester

Joe, actually you don't know the law. First, the relevant laws are:

265-A:2 Driving or Operating Under Influence of Drugs or Liquor; Driving or Operating With Excess Alcohol Concentration.

265-A:3 Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated.

Even in the case of the latter, which is what she was charged with, intoxicated is not defined solely as being intoxicated by liquor, as you seem to state. The law includes drugs.

Feel free to read the law here:

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xxi/265-a/265-a-mrg.htm
- Kevin C, Nashua

Umm Marc... I know what the law is hence the two terms DUI and DWI. My statement was based on what was reported that the driver was Driving While Intoxicated or Drunk Driving. I'm not saying either is legal I'm stating that as reported the driver was drunk. Why is it you assume I was defending pot, I'm saying alcohol abuse is a problem as well. Thanks for sharing.
- Joe, Manchester

Um joe...The state law isnt Drunk driving, Its Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol OR DRUGS.

And the last time I checked Marijuana was still a drug. And what if someone drove on your lawn nearly hitting you and your child...what would you think if the driver was high?
- marc, Arlington VA

The qyuestion I have Kevin is do you have personal knowledge of that? Unless you do then your not qualified to make that assessment. Not sure what kind of pot your smoking but I have yet to hear of any that makes you "crazy" unless it is laced with something. Alcohol the "legal" drug causes far more damage, death, injury and problems than marijauna ever has or ever will
Sounds like you need to wake up to me.
- Bill B., Pelham

Last time I checked Marijuana doesn't get you drunk whick is what this girl was charged with. It may have played a part in this but please lets not blame one thing over another. Alcohol is still the number one abused substance in this country and was what was in play here.
- Joe, Manchester

I'm glad to hear this woman did not hurt anyone - Thanks to the Conway PD for getting this dangerous driver off the road!
- Debra, Conway

Wake up people. It is the modern variety of powerful marijuana that makes you crazy. And to those that say it is safe, have fun in craziness land.
- Kevin, Portsmouth, NH