In reference to last issue's "junkie who couldn't get treatment"
[Letters, April 5], I would like to comment.

First, I would like to say that the workers and administrators at Blue
Ridge Mental Health know that substance abusers need treatment right
away. It's the politicians and the public who don't know or don't care.

Real substance-abuse treatment has almost become extinct in this
country, due to managed care and Medicaid cuts. The flip side is that
substance abusers are being thrown in prison by the thousands.

The public pays for it, one way or another.

Do we, the people, want to have real substance-abuse treatment or
imprison people for years, making the situation worse - not to mention
how unjust it is to criminalize an addictive disease?

You already know that the lack of substance-abuse treatment is one of
many problems that society has, and these problems are getting worse
quickly. I'll mention a few other problems, just to bring them into
awareness for a moment: homelessness, lack of affordable housing,
sprawling development, air pollution, biogenetic and chemical farming,
political and business corruption, overdependency on oil, the great
disparity of wealth, people working longer for less, stress on
families, violence everywhere (including schools), overt racism, etc.,
etc.

How could such a smart, civilized people have so many
problems?

I think a problem lies in our disinterest in politics.

It's extra work. It's uncool. We've all heard, "Never talk about
politics and religion." But if you live in a democracy and don't use
it, you lose it. I believe we've nearly lost it.

But it may be possible to reclaim our government (from corporations)
and create a society that we are proud of. It is possible for everyone
to have a home, and to have health care - including mental-health,
substance-abuse and holistic treatment.

It is possible to support our young families and reduce the numbers of
people in prison.

It is possible to reduce violence on television, video games, in our
homes, and in our community.

It is possible to clean up our food, air and water.

But that would take a lot more people getting involved in - yes, that
dirty word again - politics.

And I don't mean just voting, although most people don't even do that.
I mean envisioning a society that you would be proud of, working in a
group that shares your vision, and selecting political candidates who
share that vision as well. I also encourage good leaders who would
never, otherwise, consider running for office to start thinking about
running.

We need you! Society desperately needs you!

Back to the problem of substance abuse: If a person who is addicted to
alcohol, methadone or Xanax is withdrawing - and feels like they're
dying and can't get treatment anywhere else - they should go to an
emergency room. People can die, and do die, in withdrawal from those
drugs.

Have a great day!

Lisa Thurman,
MSW, LCSW, CCAS, Asheville