DON'T LIMIT ACCESS TO METHADONE TREATMENT

To the editor:

I write in response to the March 1 letter, "Methadone center mustn't go
downtown," which says we shouldn't allow a methadone center in downtown
Champaign because of the problems caused in other places by needle exchanges.

Methadone treatment is for heroin addicts who are tying to kick their
addiction and lead some kind of a normal life. That is a benefit to
society. Methadone is administered by health care or drug treatment
professionals. To say that a drug treatment facility will turn downtown
into a haven for junkies is absurd. Maybe we should kick Prairie Center
out of downtown too? Does it have junkie parties outside its front door?
Of course not.

Drug addiction is a big problem for society. It won't go away because we
pretend it's not there. Many people would prefer we throw addicts into
prison where they are out of sight and out of mind. Prison doesn't solve
anything. Limiting access to treatment will only make things worse. For
every $1 we spend on treatment we save at least $2 in prison costs. Let's
get the facts straight, give up on the scare tactics and deal with the
problem. Society will benefit.

Sean Treat Urbana