Pubdate: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 Source: Bakersfield Californian (CA) Copyright: 2000, The Bakersfield Californian. Contact: PO Box 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302-0440 Website: http://www.bakersfield.com/ Author: Brenda Parsons DRUGS AFFECT US ALL I just read the letter rebuking Pastor Richard Hill for his comments in a recent article. I live in Oildale and consider myself a nice, decent person. I do not think Rev. Hill was referring to all of Oildale. But I must say the author of the earlier letter has his or her head stuck in the sand and cannot see what's going on around him or her. There is an epidemic of drug addition going on in this country. Some areas are worse than others and Oildale is one of them. Drug addiction has no respect of the person. It happens in the families of the rich and poor, educated and noneducated. It affects the families of politicians, police officers, ministers and oil field workers. It affects people of every ethnic background. I know from experience. It has affected several members of my family. When you see a young life of talent, hopes and dreams being smothered out by the desire and craving of the drug, you cry for help! And you don't care where it comes from. If it takes a preacher on a street corner or a rehab like Teen Challenge, you thank God for it. I hope the earlier writer never has to face the evilness of drug adiction and the hurt and the pain it causes. But if he or she does, I hope that there is someone like Pastor Hill who they can go to for help. Brenda Parsons, Oildale - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D