Tampering

Regarding the recent incidents of food and drug tampering; I place the blame for this squarely on the news coverage--television and newspaper--that each incident brings forth.

This gives every sicko out there the idea that all he has to do is introduce the dangerous substance of his choice into any capsule medication or food item, and--PRESTO!--he receives major coverage in the news for several days. Also, he has supermarkets frantically emptying their shelves and consumers afraid to buy for fear of being harmed by some foreign substance. What a feeling of power he must have!

I suggest that the press practice a little discretion in what it reports. I agree that the public has a right to know about potentially dangerous products on the market; but the other side of the issue is that if we continue to give these weirdos free publicity, they’re going to continue to take advantage of it.

DEBORAH C. SHELLIN

Redondo Beach