KIDS AND HEROIN

Editor -- I wish to applaud the actions of Boz and Carmella Scaggs and The
Chronicle for warning the public of the tragic increase of heroin abuse. No
pain is more real than the tragic loss of a son, and for the Scaggs to use
their celebrity status to bring this to the public's attention is
exemplary.

As a health-care provider in the psychiatric/chemical dependency field, I
have seen first hand the soaring increase of heroin addiction, particularly
among young members of our community. These children are rich and poor,
live in affluent communities and are homeless.

As a parent of two sons, age 14 and 18, I continue to instill upon them the
values of being drug free, and pray that they will heed my advice. As
parents and members of the community, we need to do all we can to support
the drug education programs and treatment centers that continue to be
squeezed financially by managed care.

KATHRYN DONOHUE-HUTTER

Mill Valley