Pubdate: Thu, 30 May 2002
Source: Burlington Free Press (VT)
Copyright: 2002 Burlington Free Press
Contact:  http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/632
Author: Sherri Lamarche Darrah
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

OUR ADDICTS

I just read about a child, just 21 years old, now dead. Heroin. We have a 
clinic coming soon for "our addicts." It should have been around many years 
ago. Talking and funding, as usual from our state, was too slow. The clinic 
will not accommodate all our addicts and some, many, will be turned away. 
Our state and government needlessly waste a lot of money, money that could 
be used to fill the supply and demand of the clinic.

Look at the two new rest areas on Interstate 89. I hate to think just how 
much money was wasted in overly upgrading them. We could have helped more 
of our addicts had we downsized and not spruced them up so much.

We all have a responsibility in helping our addicts. They are our future. I 
hear many people say, "It's their problem, they can stop." These people 
haven't researched and watched what a powerful drug this is. They have no 
clue. If something happened to their child because of heroin, boy, thoughts 
would change then.

I have a 6-month-old baby boy. Heaven forbid he becomes an addict of heroin 
when he is older. The thought of him being turned away for help scares me. 
I beg the state of Vermont, the place I was born and raised, to find the 
money to do what needs to be done to help all our addicts, our children, 
our future.

Sherri Lamarche Darrah

Richmond
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