This is in response to the Aug. 9 letter stating that Paul Schilling's
death should be a wake-up call to substance abusers to get help and
clean up their acts.

The problem as I see it today is that there are many people suffering
from the disease of active addictions who would like help, but there
is no funding available for treatment.

U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffery has proposed an additional $600 million
over and above the $289 million in aid already given this year to
Colombia to help it fight drugs.

I have been reading about budget surpluses on the federal and state
level. I am not aware of anyone recommending additional funding go to
treatment facilities. Milwaukee has been cutting funding, not even
maintaining previous levels.

You want a wake-up call? How about one that states that money for
treatment and education of the disease of addiction are badly needed?

Jeffrey L. Starr
Milwaukee