Pubdate: Sun, 02 Feb 2003 Source: Times-Picayune, The (LA) Copyright: 2003 The Times-Picayune Contact: http://www.nola.com/t-p/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/848 Author: Adolph Lopez DRUG PROGRAM CRIPPLED Sunday February 02, 2003 Re: "Jordan unveils new team, goals," Jan. 30. The evening my colleagues and I were laid off from the district attorney's office, Eddie Jordan gave a news statement indicating he wanted to pursue alternative programs for drug offenders. Without realizing it, he had just crippled his own diversionary program, one of the most effective alternative sentencing programs I've ever encountered. We offered counseling, referrals to job search and training, GED placement help and experienced, caring hearts and minds. We who do this work are motivated by compassion, not politics. We are loyal to the work, not the boss. Had Mr. Jordan afforded us the dignity of an interview by people competent in our field, he might have understood the valuable human resource he'd inherited was ready and willing to work for him. After filling out our own pink slips and separation documents, my colleagues and I quietly packed up our belongings, said our good-byes and left with our dignity intact. There is no shame in being treated dishonorably. Adolph Lopez New Orleans - --- MAP posted-by: Beth