AMERICA MUST GET SERIOUS ABOUT DRUGS

MY HAT is off to Alan I. Leshner (June 29 commentary, "Addiction is a brain
disease - and should be treated as such"). With drug addiction already
passing the epidemic stage in America, then why don't we treat it like it
is - a mortal wound to our society?

If we want to keep available space in our prisons, we must get serious in
our treatment programs. (Most programs have a cure rate of 15 percent or
less.) Leshner states that 50 percent to 70 percent of those arrested are
addicted to illegal drugs, and most studies bear this out.

Since addiction encompasses the whole being, then it stands to reason that
treatment must do the same. The approach must be treating the total person
- - spirit, mind and body.

Maybe if America got serious about illegal drugs and treatment, we wouldn't
need the Drug Enforcement Administration anymore.

Join me in getting our legislators to attack this problem head on.

E. DUANE LEE, Chairman

It's Time for Change in

Our Courts, in Our Jails and Prisons

ROANOKE