Pubdate: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 Source: Huntsville Forester, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 The Huntsville Forester Contact: http://www.huntsvilleforester.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2430 Author: Veronica McNamee Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n426.a04.html DENIAL AND INDIFFERENCE TOWARD PROBLEMS ARE THE TRUE CRIMES Re: Dealing with the demons of cocaine, Forester front, March 9. Finally, not only the demons of cocaine, but the demons of our community are coming to light. Maybe the mayor's comments that Huntsville is crack house-free ignited the fire. True, we don't have boarded up abandoned houses with a whole bunch of junkies inside getting stoned. But Huntsville's 'crack houses' are for real. They are regular homes, most of them with children, where users gather any day of the week to indulge in their habit. From business people to 17-year-old dropouts, the police are not usually alerted of these 'parties' because they are calm, quiet, and private, but nevertheless lethal. There is drug and alcohol abuse and homelessness (that's another letter to editor altogether) in our community, but what I see the most is the indifference of those who can initiate action to resolve these problems: the local newspapers and local politicians. I am tired of reading bubble gum stories and denials of what truly afflicts our community. We can't continue to turn a blind eye. Hats off to Tamara for opening that can of worms! Having said that, here is a suggestion: Let us read about our afflictions, about unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, children who go to school hungry. But let us also read about how a community came together and formed or supported already existing groups such as Parent Coalitions, child and youth centres that provide counselling, about Big Brothers and Big Sisters, breakfast clubs, parenting courses, oh my, so many! I want to read about these every day! We were able to raise so much money for the tsunami victims, why not do the same for our local victims? Charity begins at home. Veronica McNamee Kearney - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin