Pubdate: Sun, 26 May 2002 Source: Burlington Free Press (VT) Copyright: 2002 Burlington Free Press Contact: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/632 Author: Jim Burbo Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) CURES MAKE SENSE Just a minute. Let me see if I understand this. Because some people are stupid or weak-kneed enough to get themselves addicted to heroin, and to get un-addicted causes a certain amount of pain and suffering which they are unwilling to undergo, then according to the recent editorial, (Free Press, May 16) we the taxpayers of Vermont should spend a large amount of money to give these hop-heads methadone for the rest of their lives. Not that this is a cure for their addiction, but just a substitute drug, perhaps a little cheaper, but they stay addicted. My late Venezuelan father-in-law had a succinct phrase for this type of thinking -- "caca del toro" -- in English, "B.S." Now, if the Free Press were advocating a program to cure the heroin addiction, it might make a lot more sense. Jim Burbo Hinesburg - --- MAP posted-by: Alex