Pubdate: Mon, 09 Feb 1998
Date: 09/02/1998
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Author: GILLIAN SANDGROUND
Note: headline by MAP

* As a longtime resident of the United States, born in the United
Kingdom, I was appalled at the article concerning a heroin addict in
Liverpool, who had turned her life and that of her children around as
the result of a program in which she was legally provided with an
amount of heroin necessary to maintain a productive lifestyle.

The woman had held down a job, got off welfare and was caring for her
children. As the result, apparently, of pressure from the American
Embassy, the program was closed down, and the subject of the article
had returned to her previous self-destructive lifestyle. How dare the
American government interfere in the internal affairs of another
sovereign nation?

I am disgusted with the spinelessness of the British government for
giving in to whatever coercion was applied, but even more am
speechless with fury at the highhanded behavior of this country. So
many Americans wonder why they are so unpopular in so many parts of
the world.

Our government would be far better served by attending to its own
problems instead of attempting to impose its own failed solutions on
others.

GILLIAN SANDGROUND Canyon Country