Pubdate: Tue, 09 Aug 2016 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Copyright: 2016 Albuquerque Journal Contact: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10 Author: Joseph Alesio A WAR ON DRUGS OR DRUG ADDICTS? IT IS WITH bewilderment that I read the article in the July 28 paper ("Gov. backs shutting teen addict center") that Turquoise Lodge is closing its adolescent unit due to "lack of demand." Couple that with the state handcuffing addiction counselors, it seems that the "war on drugs" is seen by our health officials as a "war on drug addicts." These are not evil people who freely choose to stay addicted - they are sick and need help, not the turning of our backs! As the parent of an addict, I know how hard it is to find help. The private detox/ recovery programs are ungodly expensive, and the community and state offer virtually nothing. Yet we will spend millions on the Albuquerque Rapid Transit - opposed by so many who will be adversely affected to make Central Avenue "pretty" - and accomplish nothing. Let a high official in the Health Department have to deal with a family member who falls victim to heroin and see how the mindless bureaucrats change their views. These people have no clue. Their views seem to be that such people are either drunks or junkies, so who cares! JOSEPH ALESIO Albuquerque - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom