'BREAK THE CYCLE' OFFERS HOPE TO TROUBLED AREAS

I grew up in a neighborhood wracked by drugs and violence. As I grew up,
most of my friends were pulled into a spiral of addiction and crime, and
for years, no one did anything to help them.

Even today, most politicians are too afraid to take on such a complex
problem. But Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend has addressed the challenge
head on.

She was not intimidated by the steep odds, nor was she chained to old ways
of thinking. The result is Break the Cycle, a fresh and promising approach
to a problem left neglected for decades.

For that reason, I was shocked and troubled by what I believe to be an
unfair criticism of Ms. Townsend and Break the Cycle in The Sun's editorial
"Lieutenant governor hijacks probation" (Nov. 20).

Clearly, the program has not achieved its full potential. However, we
should not tear down what has been built merely because there are some cracks.

Break the Cycle is helping to create livable communities, helping people to
turn their lives around. The proof can be found in the ongoing
transformation of neighborhoods such as the one where I was reared.

Crime is falling in Baltimore. The progress we have made is, in large part,
a testament to the courage and ingenuity of Ms. Townsend.

There is more work to do. But no one's expectations of Break the Cycle are
higher than our lieutenant governor's. And no one will fight harder than
Ms. Townsend to see those expectations are met.

Elijah E. Cummings, Washington

The writer represents Maryland's 7th District in the House of Representatives.