Editor, Times-Union: In response to recent letters written by individuals who are currently either being held on, or are in prison for, methamphetamine charges: One letter is asking for help to break the addiction and another is berating the county’s judicial system as being non-empathetic to the nonviolent addicts of methamphetamine. The latter is upset with the fact that we aren’t spending more county money on alternative sentencing and drug courts “like all our surrounding counties have.”
I’m all for people getting help with their addiction, but it has been proven over many decades that until and unless an addict wants to be cured, it does little good forcing them into an expensive facility. Alcoholics are addicted, and they don’t get special treatment in court if they are acting in ways that could be hazardous to themselves or others. Alcoholics can find help for themselves in support systems like A.A. They have support systems for drug addiction, as well. I’m pretty sure they don’t cost any money. They do require you to acknowledge and take responsibility for your own actions, though.
Another thing, although I know it is common to call any addiction a “disease” ... I’m sure that anyone suffering from a devastating disease that they contracted through no fault of their own would be thrilled if they could cure themselves just by stopping some behavior.
Meth labs have caused fires that have endangered people in surrounding areas … and now that so many meth labs are “mobile” ... they are potentially putting anyone in the surrounding area on the street in danger.
We should also be concerned for children who live in homes that contain “meth labs”? These children are in danger of being harmed by toxic fumes, exposure to dangerous chemicals, as well as abuse and neglect from their meth-addicted parents. Long-term meth abuse can cause addicts to have irritability, paranoia, violent rages and serious health problems such as damage to the heart and brain.
I think instead of whining about not getting help … you try to help yourselves by not getting addicted in the first place, don’t even start taking it. It’s not as if there isn’t enough proof and information available to make you think it might be a bad idea to start taking it. You’re not a victim. You made a bad choice. Man up, take your punishment, and learn from it.
