DEAL WITH ROOT CAUSES OF ADDICTION

The Editor,

Re: "Don't export social ills," News, July 8

Your Editorial Opinion wrongfully alleges that our city is part of
the problem and is fraught with drug crimes and addiction. Where do
you get your facts?

The case against a Turning Point plan on Ash Street was opposed by
the Caring Citizens of Richmond armed with unassailable facts from
hundreds of hours of research and education. Residents had the
benefit of intellectual presentations by both sides late last year
and whichever gave the most compelling argument prevailed. We praise
Turning Point for doing what is honorable and wish them success in
their endeavour.

The problem of addiction is world-wide. It is everywhere. It is
almost akin to the problem of poverty and slum dwelling. Children are
geniuses at birth, according to new findings of neurologists (The
Scientist in the Crib, Gopnik, Meltzoff, and Kuhl, 1999). Yet,
statistics indicate that a majority of children born in slums will
grow up and become second-, third- and fourth-generation slum dwellers.

Nature's biological gift to children is pre-empted by nurture. This
is where addiction first rears its ugly head. Addiction to alcohol,
drugs, or other substances, could be traced to unwanted pregnancies,
family abuse, domestic violence, spousal abuse, marriage breakup,
children coming to an empty home, parents busy with their own social
lives, lack of spiritual nourishment, and abdication of, and
inability to understand, parental responsibilities. It is exacerbated
by schools no longer allowed to say prayers or use biblical teachings
yet are obliged to encourage education about same-sex partnerships.

It seems to me that this social ill has never been addressed at its
source: lack of good parenting and role modeling at home. There is a
need to place greater priority on education and intellectual
development. A paradigm shift towards what is important in a child's
life and future is imperative. This is where efforts at changing the
future should be directed and not at providing band-aid relief.

Ernie Mendoza, Richmond