OUR ADDICTS

I just read about a child, just 21 years old, now dead. Heroin. We have a
clinic coming soon for "our addicts." It should have been around many years
ago. Talking and funding, as usual from our state, was too slow. The clinic
will not accommodate all our addicts and some, many, will be turned away.
Our state and government needlessly waste a lot of money, money that could
be used to fill the supply and demand of the clinic.

Look at the two new rest areas on Interstate 89. I hate to think just how
much money was wasted in overly upgrading them. We could have helped more
of our addicts had we downsized and not spruced them up so much.

We all have a responsibility in helping our addicts. They are our future. I
hear many people say, "It's their problem, they can stop." These people
haven't researched and watched what a powerful drug this is. They have no
clue. If something happened to their child because of heroin, boy, thoughts
would change then.

I have a 6-month-old baby boy. Heaven forbid he becomes an addict of heroin
when he is older. The thought of him being turned away for help scares me.
I beg the state of Vermont, the place I was born and raised, to find the
money to do what needs to be done to help all our addicts, our children,
our future.

Sherri Lamarche Darrah

Richmond