Pubdate: Mon, 25 Feb 2002
Source: Daily Advertiser, The (LA)
Copyright: 2002 South Louisiana Publishing
Contact:  http://www.theadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1670
Author: Chris Menard

DRUG, ALCOHOL ADDICTS HAVE DISEASE OF MIND

I am writing about the stereotyping of drug addicts and alcoholics. Many 
people, including doctors, don't want anything to do with drug addicts or 
alcoholics. They think they are evil and they just want to hurt themselves 
or other people. That is not true. Drug addicts and alcoholics are just 
plain old people just like you and me. They have just fallen into a disease 
of the mind.

Their disease tells them that the body needs the drug or alcohol to 
function normally. When the mind tells the person, they will do anything to 
get what the mind tells them to get. Whether it is cocaine, vodka, or 
heroin. It can be anything. Now, when the drug addict picks up that drug or 
the alcoholic picks up that drink they have the choice of taking it. But 
when they take it, they will lose control of their mind and their body. The 
mind takes over.

There are a few places that drug addicts and alcoholics can go for help. 
They suffer from the same disease, addiction. They must get treatment from 
different places because they are dealing with a different form of 
addiction. Addiction can be with food, work, pleasure, or anything that 
will take place of what you have to do. Drug addicts can go to NA or 
Narcotics Anonymous. Alcoholics can go to AA or Alcohol Anonymous. They use 
basically the same program for both.

I hope this letter gives you a better understanding of drug addicts and 
alcoholics.

Chris Menard,

Northside High
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