Pantagraph.com | Letters | Drug addiction solution is simple: Obey the law

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

This is SAD! wrote on Aug 13, 2007 10:13 PM:

" So many Americans, so much WHINING about how they can't control themselves; it's everyone elses' fault. The addicts never seem to understand that THEY had the control when they CHOSE to start drugs. I can't imagine very many people held them down and forced drugs on them. If that truly happened, then they have my sympathy. But if they CHOOSE to start using drugs; then they should be held RESPONSIBLE for that decision. Not given hand-outs at taxpayers' expense. However, I do NOT agree that they should be criminalized. If they want to use, what's the problem? That's a choice they have made; let them be responsible and find help themselves. Forcing them to jail or forcing them into rehab isn't going to cure them; they have to CHOOSE to get well. Please, America, let's get back to reality and realize that we are NOT as DUMB (I hope!) as politicians and liberals would have us believe with these "nanny laws"! The "war on drugs" is a farce at best.... "

Grumpy Old Man wrote on Aug 13, 2007 4:01 PM:

" When I read this letter, I did not get the message that most of you seem to have gotten. What I heard Maureen say is to NOT START in the first place. Addiction is a self induced disease. Once started, it is very, very hard to overcome. The cure is simple-DON'T START! "

To wow wrote on Aug 13, 2007 2:44 PM:

" Not everyone who comments is from Bloomington. Remember this is the internet! "

To "Carl Rove" wrote on Aug 13, 2007 1:11 PM:

" What makes you think Ms. Barnes is a conservative? Because she says no to drugs? "

Carl Rove wrote on Aug 13, 2007 11:07 AM:

" Maureen must be one of those "compasionate conservatives" we've heard so much about. "

To Maxwell wrote on Aug 13, 2007 10:29 AM:

" What does your complaint about Christians have to do with this blog? You're the only one who mentioned Christianity. "

Wow wrote on Aug 13, 2007 9:20 AM:

" people on here are vicious! Wasn't there just a letter to the editor a few weeks ago about how rude people in Blm are??? Guess this proves it. I can not believe some of these comments made it past the censor they are so awful. "

to you guys wrote on Aug 13, 2007 6:47 AM:

" whining about the problems of addicts how do you help them? By giving them more of what they ask for? I have seen how this works. The very people who complain about how they act are the very people who give them what they are addicted to. Because many times they are addicted too. Many people just like this would buy drugs, alcohol and cigarettes BEFORE they buy food, pay their rent or buy clothes. And THEN they want someone to provide that. If you don't think so please interview some homeless or soon to be homeless. Just like here very few expect them to be responsible. They just blame it on an addiction and think they can do nothing about it. I say baloney. As long as people will give them money or food they will keep doing the same old same old. "

I agree wrote on Aug 13, 2007 6:42 AM:

" with the writer. Once again we blame others for our own messes. Who gave him the first drug? He wasn't an addict then. How many of you reading this have given some teenager drugs, alcohol or cigarettes thinking it will not hurt them, that is what teenagers do or well I had to give it to them, they asked for it. Remember behind every addict there are other lawbreakers (and usually many) that give them the stuff. You now how I know? Because isn't buying drugs, alcohol and cigarettes illegal for teenagers? Someone had to help. Where are they now? Are they feeling responsible?. Of course not. They have their own problems and would not think of being guilty of contributing to this persons death while in actuality they were major players. "

LAR wrote on Aug 13, 2007 6:22 AM:

" Don't worry Maureen, we don't need you tax dollars for treatment, we are going to need it to build all the prisons to house all the people that have addictions and commit crimes in order to feed their addictions. Maybe we can build a prison in your backyard so you can watch your tax dollars at work. At 30,000$ per year for each prisoner you should get a lot for you money. I am sure your God would much rather you spend you money there than helping people in need. Isn't that what he said in all those sermons?..... "

Wow wrote on Aug 13, 2007 1:14 AM:

" As others have pointed out, this letter is dripping with ignorance. Would obeying the law have helped? Yes. But not everyone does, and we can't exactly afford to house people with addictions for the rest of their lives in jail. The war on drugs is a complete and utter failure and has been for decades. Maureen, any drug addiction from alcohol, nicotine, takes far more than a mental choice to quit than you can ever imagine. The physical and mental toll it takes on the body is far beyond what many people can handle. In case you've never been there, drug withdrawal is both physical and mental torture. Maybe as a taxpayer you'd rather pay to have drug addicts locked up for the rest of their natural lives, but personally I'd rather see these people get the temporary help they need to become valued members of society again. "

Maxwell wrote on Aug 12, 2007 8:17 PM:

" You Christians sure have educated me. I didn't know that Jesus was a selfish hater. Makes me awfully glad that I'm not a Christian. "

To Maureen wrote on Aug 12, 2007 6:55 PM:

" I hope you are never faced with something like this, b/c your ignorance won't serve you well. Open your mind and try to learn. Adam was also a working taxpayer, he just had no health insurance. The article did not blame or dismiss that Adam caused his own death, it brought forth the length of wait for mental health care. They are many more issues that could be discussed but that is not what the article was about!!!!! "

TO: right on wrote on Aug 12, 2007 5:06 PM:

" I hope you have never went over the speed limit, drank before you were 21, smoked before the correct age. There are all Against the law too, so ...should we say good riddens for those too...don't be so critical of everyone. Do you think you would have the guts to tell a story and be judged by so many. There are many stories that need to be told about our society to help persons that are ignorant about topics they know little about. So to "right on " and "maureen", please open your minds and try to not judge but learn. We do not live in a perfect world. "

Recovering Alcoholic to this lady is ... wrote on Aug 12, 2007 4:14 PM:

" I’m very, very sorry about the loss of your friend. Thank you for reminding us all that Adam was a friend, son, and neighbor. Please, do him a favor and turn your grief into something useful. Hatred can destroy the soul. There is a saying, “We hate the things we fear, and we fear the things we do not understand.” Use your energy to help others understand your world and try to understand theirs. Turn hatred into compassion. Or at the very least understanding. "

to Right on Maureen wrote on Aug 12, 2007 2:57 PM:

" That's brilliant. Yeah, let the drug crazed go kill themselves. Only one problem with that. They'll take some of the rest of us with them. "

Right on Maureen! wrote on Aug 12, 2007 1:13 PM:

" You go girl. There are certainly a lot of worthless and weak people in our society who feel so awful that they can't follow the rules that they have to criticize those who can. Go ahead you drugged up law breakers and kill yourselves with your stupid behavior. We certainly don't need you in this world. Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!1 "

what a fool wrote on Aug 12, 2007 12:58 PM:

" yeah, just say no. that'll work. just like the DARE program. oh wait, that was shut down. "

From the bible.... wrote on Aug 12, 2007 12:24 PM:

" Maureen 8:12: Thou shalt not give a gosh darn about anyone but one's self. "

Recovering Alcoholic wrote on Aug 12, 2007 11:20 AM:

" The road to recovery is rocky and difficult. Those who think that it is as easy as “just say ‘no’” do not know the reality of addiction. Some of us are biologically more likely to become addicts than are others. I do not use this predilection as an excuse. Rather, I realize that it was not a character flaw that made me drink, but it my strength of character that keeps me sober. In my case, this strength comes from a higher power. While it is discouraging that this young man left rehab after only one day, we all need to realize that recovery is a life-time process and one that is difficult to begin. Early in my recovery my councilor pointed me to Luke 8:37; “The people of the town asked Jesus to leave them because they were overcome with fear.” Our demons pretend to be our friends and often our friends encourage our demons, leaving us fearful and confused. Addicts need more than slogans. We need a community of support. "

this lady is an idiot wrote on Aug 12, 2007 9:37 AM:

" I kinda hope this lady who wrote this letter dies some slow painful death that she could have prevented but did not ( ie skin cancer)...honestly, she is one of the worst and most ignorant human beings on the planet. I understand that drugs are illegal and that DARE is supposed to tell kids my age (about 22) to stay off drugs, but in reality all it taught me was that Normal police officers cannot be trusted and that they will not talk to you like a human being unless you show good posture. I went to high school with Adam Hearon and I know for a fact that if he could have changed the way things worked out for him he would have. We need MORE money to fight illeteracy and drug problems and just remember, the government that you are all about did help to introduce crack to low income housing all over the country. GET A CLUE LADY...you suck... "

J wrote on Aug 12, 2007 8:40 AM:

" It is very easy to say obey the law looking in from the outside. We all want that to happen but in reality never will. This is the United States of America where we have all kinds of people and all kinds of problems. Just throwing out a comment of don't break the law will not help. Maybe more education about drugs, school programs and activities to occupy our young ones, mentoring programs, strong values at home may help. But if someone chooses to break the law and do drugs lets give them the opportunities to receive professional help before it is too late. "

ES wrote on Aug 12, 2007 8:06 AM:

" Maureen this is a thoughtless and selfish lesson. A family is try to deal with a crisis and pain and you judge them and feel you have a rigt to because you are the almighty taxpayer. I hope everything is golden and special in your world, but Heroin changes the body chemistry. How dare you point an accusing finger at this family with a nancy Reagan like motto of "Just Say No." I think you should have chosen your words more kindly and not written this diatribe at all. "

Drugs wrote on Aug 12, 2007 7:59 AM:

" like Marijuana should be legal. The hemp plant could almost single-handedly say our environment, but it's not legal because too many lobbyists who control our corrupt politicians don't want it, because their corporations can't compete against it. It makes a stronger and softer cotton, cheaper paper, cheaper oils including ethanol, and a better and for safer cigarette than cancer sticks and improves ones appetite AND it does all this while polluting far less than what our farmers and corportions do. "

Dead Eye Dick wrote on Aug 12, 2007 7:58 AM:

" I have no problem with addiction to drugs. As long, of course, as they're legal drugs. "

To Maureen: wrote on Aug 12, 2007 7:32 AM:

" Just exactly what planet did you come from??? It's just not that simple. Obviously, you have not had any trials and tribulations with any form of addiction in your life, or any of the lives around you. I just can't even bring myself to spend this time responding to your ignorance. But......I will say to Maureen.....GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND!!!!!! "

(gasp) wrote on Aug 12, 2007 7:18 AM:

" Obey the law? Are you crazy? What about my "right" to break the law? After all, isn't truth relevant? "

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