Pubdate: Tue, 25 Apr 2000
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2000 The New York Times Company
Contact:  229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036
Fax: (212) 556-3622
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Forum: http://www10.nytimes.com/comment/
Section: Letters
Author: Robert G. Newman, M.D.

A WORLD OF HEROIN

To the Editor:
At first glance, most readers might find it difficult to relate to your 
article regarding the 1.5 million heroin addicts in Pakistan (front page, 
April 19), other than with a detached sense of horror.

However, America is not so very different. According to a recent statement 
by Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, director of the Office of National Drug Control 
Policy, there are approximately one million American citizens who are 
addicted to heroin. Over 80 percent of them have absolutely no access to 
treatment.

Treatment, particularly methadone maintenance, works, and is relatively 
inexpensive. Treatment of this kind provides incalculable benefits to 
heroin users and the general community.

As your article states, Pakistan is believed to have so many heroin addicts 
because of "geography, geopolitics, corruption and poverty." What is our 
excuse?

ROBERT G. NEWMAN, M.D.
New York, April 20, 2000

The writer is president of Continuum Health Partners.
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