Pubdate: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 Source: Star-Ledger (NJ) Copyright: 1999 Newark Morning Ledger Co. Contact: 1 Star-Ledger Plaza, Newark, N.J., 07102-1200 Website: http://www.nj.com/starledger/ Forum: http://forums.nj.com/ Author: Tom O'Connell, MD and friend of MAP Note: Headline by Newshawk POLICE INDEED SENDING A MESSAGE To the Editor: There's at least one alternative to the "anti-drug message" police think they may be sending to teens by driving around town in well-known flashy cars seized from alleged drug dealers and tricked out with light bars and other police car paraphernalia (Star-Ledger, Nov. 21). That message is that there isn't a whole lot of difference between criminals who deal drugs and police; both groups like flashy wheels and are prone help themselves to whatever they can get away with. TOM O'CONNELL MD San Mateo, CA - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto