Pubdate: Sun, 16 Jul 2006 Source: Times, The (Munster IN) Copyright: 2006 The Munster Times Contact: http://www.nwitimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/832 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) READERS REACT TO HEROIN SERIES Response Overwhelmingly Supportive. When The Times ran its recent series on Porter County's heroin problem, a Times editorial said it was time for a wake up call. Many readers agreed, echoing the need for a call to action. The overwhelming majority of the responses were positive, with many asking how they might be able to be part of the solution. Of the handful of readers who complained, most said they were family members or friends of those who died heroin- and opiate-related deaths and were offended by the inclusion of photos of the deceased in the series. Most did not offer their names or phone numbers. Many parents whose children's pictures were featured in the photos, however, thanked The Times for shedding light on the problem. Other readers told stories of personal struggles with heroin and methadone, of trying to help their children who are still battling addiction, of trying to find help for themselves or others and finding nowhere to turn. Below are some of their comments. * A man who did not identify himself on a voice mail message said running the photos of the deceased was insensitive. "I can't believe someone would be so callous as to put the pictures of the people who have passed away and do this to these families," he said. "I hope you rot in hell for this ... I have friends of mine and I see their kids' pictures here, and I can't imagine what they're going through." * Nancy Polewski of Portage, lost her son, Shawn, 22, to heroin in February. Polewski said she was surprised to see Shawn's photo in the paper. "It was tough, but once I started reading and saw what you are doing, I was happy to know that Shawn's death might help contribute to the solution," Polewski said. "I didn't mind because if it wakes people up to this, if we can save one person from dying from it, it's worth it." * Teri Wickberg of Chesterton, whose son, Shawn Rivera, died of a heroin overdose at the age of 18, said many parents and friends of addicts don't want to believe it is happening to them. "A lot of parents are in denial," Wickberg said. "They think (their children's addiction) reflects on their parenting skills. That's not it. It can hit anywhere at any time." * Kim Scott of Madison, Wis., formerly of Chesterton, is the mother of Max Donnella, a recovering heroin addict and aunt to a boy who died a drug-related death. "Putting it in people's faces makes them uncomfortable, but that seems to be the only way to wake them up, unless it is their child, then you wake up and the nightmare begins," Scott said. "Thank you for bringing it out and not letting people hide from it and not letting it get buried with the memory of our kids." * A Valparaiso woman who asked not to be identified said she has struggled to find help for her son, who has been a heroin addict for 11 years. "If you don't have money or insurance, there is no help," she said. "My son has tons of medical bills that he cannot pay, so he is turned down at hospitals to try to detox ... My son is now downstairs as I write this letter, throwing up and trying to detox once again by himself and it won't work because you can not get off without help and there is none." * Jessica Plescott, 26, of Portage, is a recovering heroin addict and, with the help of methadone from the Semoran Treatment Center in Gary, has been clean for two years. Plescott said she would like to start an online forum or support group for teens, but doesn't know where to turn. "I have looked online before for local online forums or mentoring programs in which I might be able to volunteer my support and knowledge of the evils of heroin," Plescott said. "Sadly, I have turned up nothing." * Maggie of Griffith asked not to use her last name because she is involved in education. She is a recovering alcoholic and prescription drug addict who overdosed on fentanyl prescribed to her by a doctor. She was put on methadone to try to kick her prescription drug habit. "Methadone is horrible," she said. "I'm against those clinics. The withdrawal is horrible. I just think there's such a message to give the community that there is hope and it isn't in those methadone clinics." * Kimberly Rodriguez of East Chicago lost her boyfriend of 25 years to heroin in June and found a poem while she was cleaning out her boyfriend's things after his death and asked that we share it with other readers. The poem ends with: You have heard my warning but will take no heed Put your foot in the stirrup, mount this great steed Get right in the saddle and hold on real well For the white horse heroin will take you to hell. "Maybe it can help the younger ones see that if you start, this is what happens to you," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman