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
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom