Pubdate: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Lillian Ramsden Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) ADDICTS, MENTALLY ILL BOTH DESERVE HELP I must respond to the article "Nowhere else to send addicts" Aug. 24. The writer and the psychiatrist quoted both reveal a negative bias toward persons with addictions, whether that was their intention or not. The writer's opening sentence is particularly revealing: "Strung out on cocaine or crystal meth, they pile up in the comfortable waiting room chairs." Would it be more acceptable if the chairs were not comfortable? I think statements like this indicate an "us-versus-them" mentality, those that are worthy of the help they seek and those that are not. I also find it troubling that psychiatrists feel they aren't qualified to deal with these patients' addictions. My understanding is that addiction is a recognized psychiatric diagnosis. Statistics suggest that approximately 80 per cent of people with mental illness have some kind of co-occurring addiction.There is no "us." There is no "them." There are only people needing help. Lillian Ramsden, Comox. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman