Pubdate: Fri, 12 May 2000 Date: 05/12/2000 Source: Baltimore Sun (MD) Author: Robert Welsh Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n616/a09.html As a member of the West Timonium Heights Community Association, I was really impressed with Dan Morhaim's column "Hospitals can help solve drug problems" (Opinion Commentary, May 5). He not only presented facts and figures about a complex problem, but offered a compassionate, no-nonsense solution. All communities have alcohol and drug problems. What better place to handle treatment and follow-up programs than our community hospitals? Their 24-hour schedules could accommodate even addicts with bizarre round-the-clock work schedules that rule out 9-to-5 treatment programs.(Yes, there are working alcoholics and drug users.) I certainly commend efforts such as that of Mayor Martin O'Malley and the Baltimore police to clear street corners of drug dealers and to decrease killings. But their job is nearly impossible if nothing is done about the root of the problem through education and treatment and follow-up programs for current addicts. Helping addicts to recover is like throwing a pebble in a pond: Benefits ripple out in all directions. I agree with Dr. Morhaim. It is time to play serious ball: Dollars up. Robert Welsh, Timonium