Pubdate: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 Source: Red Deer Advocate (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 Red Deer Advocate Contact: http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2492 Author: Irvine Hill PARENTS OF DRUG ADDICTS TO BLAME Re. March 22 letter from Sharon Congo, headlined Detox centre opponents wins, while our community loses: I wholly disagree with this lady's attitude. This lady is obviously in grief over a loved one who has a drug addiction; however, she should not expect everyone in Red Deer to necessarily sympathize with her plight. And we citizens do have the right to voice our honest opinions and object to any detox centre location that we feel may disrupt our normal way of life as well as the well-being of our community. She is correct in saying that no one wants a detox centre in their backyard, and why should we? Drug addicts are not pillars of our communities. They steal from us, attack us, break in to our homes and vehicles, and worst of all - sell drugs to our young people to feed their own habit. No, we don't want them in our backyard! No, the drug problem is not going away, and yes it is growing. But let's have a look at the probable cause of the whole problem. In my opinion, the burden goes right back to the parents. Have a real good honest look at how you raised your children. I said be honest. Did you do everything possible to ensure your children had parents at home when needed? Were they from a family where both parents worked and they were raised by a babysitter? Did you make every effort to spend time with your children and take them camping, fishing, hunting, etc.? Did you get them involved in sports such as hockey, soccer, baseball, etc.? Did you always know where your teenagers were at all times and what they were doing, or did you just take their word for it? You know, if you have your kids involved and you get involved with them they will not have time to get in to the drug scene. They will be too busy. The people who should get serious about helping their addicted loved ones are the ones who raised them. Don't let them be a burden on society and expect the taxpayers to take the burden. I think a detox centre is just another means for addicts to get something for nothing again as they always try to do. An RCMP friend, who had served 20 years on the drug squad, once told me that in all his experience with drug addicts, he never once saw an addict kick the habit for good. Does that tell you anything? Let's raise our potential addicts properly. Then the problem will rectify itself. Irvine Hill Red Deer - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin