Pubdate: Sun, 08 Sep 2019 Source: New York Times (NY) Copyright: 2019 The New York Times Company Website: http://www.nytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298 Author: Kathy Kier Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v19/n017/a02.html Note: Headline by newshawk ADDICTS NEED HELP Re "Ending the War on Drugs," by Nicholas Kristof (Sunday Review, Aug. 25): This article gives me hope that Seattle is finally doing something about the devastation of drug use on its streets. My son is a struggling heroin addict, and thank God is now a part of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, program. He completed treatment in jail through drug court, finished work release, is now in drug court housing and meets with his counselor at LEAD. I know firsthand how difficult it is for families. I've walked the streets of downtown Seattle looking for my son where drug users and dealers hang out. I've seen them passed out with a needle hanging out of an arm or leg. I'd ask myself, What is Seattle doing to fix this problem? Addicts need support. The LEAD program is good, but what about those addicts who haven't been arrested and directed to LEAD? Kathy Kier Seattle - --- MAP posted-by: Matt