Pubdate: Fri, 07 Feb 2014
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2014 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/625HdBMl
Website: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466
Author: Tom Ashley
Note: Title by newshawk

HEROIN ADDICTION

Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the top actors of our time, looks as 
if he struggled with heroin addiction. One of his talents was showing 
an individual battling his demons, such as in the movies Capote and 
Doubt. He made it seem so real - and in retrospect obviously it was 
real for him.

Many addicts do not want to die; they are simply looking for 
something to relieve the pain. Heroin addiction is a physical 
illness, much like cancer or heart disease.

Let's not pity or punish addicts. Let us compassionately try to 
figure this out as a country.

Tom Ashley

Tucson
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