Pubdate: Fri, 03 Oct 2003
Source: Roanoke Times (VA)
Copyright: 2003 Roanoke Times
Contact:  http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368
Author: Alicia Steadman

POLITICS PLAYS INTO METHADONE PROTEST

AFTER READING your Sept. 25 news article "Politicians propose change in law 
to keep out methadone clinic" regarding Republicans Morgan Griffith, 
Brandon Bell and William Fralin coming out against the methadone clinic on 
Colonial Avenue and Ogden Road, I can only describe it as opportunism at 
its hypocritical finest. Two of the supporters aren't even elected 
officials yet.

As a political independent, I was hoping these potential new voices from 
Southwest Virginia might have a more moderate view of party politics. But 
not surprisingly, they sway away from social accountability toward gaining 
the popular vote in Roanoke without even knowing or researching the real 
dangers of the methadone clinic.

As reported in your article, a simple phone call to Galax would have 
revealed at least a glimpse of the real risk we would be taking. But no, 
it's jump on the popular opinion bandwagon and use fear to gain popularity 
(and votes).

Let's learn together to gather the facts before we jump to conclusions and 
change laws that may not be socially responsible.

Alicia Steadman, Salem
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens