Pubdate: Fri, 07 Nov 2008
Source: State Journal-Register (IL)
Copyright: 2008 The State Journal-Register
Contact:  http://www.sj-r.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/425
Author: Ervin W. Stone

SUBSTANCE ABUSERS SHOULDN'T GET PRIORITY

I read Keith A. Kuhn's "Governor must sign bills to restore funds" 
letter in the Oct. 8 newspaper and I'd like to state a different opinion.

I know and have known many alcoholics and people who abuse drugs, but 
I myself am neither. Some are even very close to me and I see 
firsthand how devastating these addictions can be and what they can 
do to those who use and how it injures relationships, whether it be 
friend or family.

You can't force treatment on those who use and abuse because most 
want to do what they are doing. They have to want to be free of the 
addiction. I've seen many go into very expensive treatment plans, 
mostly because they were forced to by the courts, etc. only to go 
right back upon being released.

We all have choices in life. You can choose to drink to the point of 
addiction or use drugs or tobacco to the point of addiction. You can 
because you are in America where you're free to choose. It's all out 
there for one to satisfy curiosity or craving. I myself wish it 
wasn't, but unfortunately here the choice is ours to make.

There are other fields this $253 million could be used and 
appreciated just as much, if not more. Before I got Medicare, I had 
no medical insurance. When I caught pneumonia, I went to three 
clinics and was told I needed $70 to $90 up front in order to be seen 
by a doctor. I went to the county for help; they said I made too much 
in Social Security. Have you ever heard of such? I tried the local 
charity with the same results.

I got desperate because I was very sick and I took someone else's 
leftover antibiotics. Luckily, they did work. A person shouldn't have 
to do this. Help should be out there for those who never had the 
choice of getting sick.

I say, help those who get sick from something other than a 
self-induced addictive substances first!

Ervin W. Stone Beardstown
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom