SUBSIDIZING ADDICTS

Editor -- Dear Chron: I endorse Earl Rynerson's Open Forum piece, ``We Kill
Them With Kindness,'' which appeared in this morning's paper (December 15).
The city is keeping drug addicts and alcoholics under the influence, and
drug and alcohol sellers in the black, by providing twice a month General
Assistance payments with no strings attached.

Several years ago I volunteered at a small drop-in center on Folsom
that served a free breakfast for drug addicts. I learned very quickly
the reason the place was deserted the day after the first and 15th of
the month. The addicts were flush with their newly acquired drugs and
wouldn't surface for some days -- until the money ran out. Then they
would reappear at the center until their next check.

The GA program should be renamed the General Assistance Program for
Drug Dealers. As for the addicts, I guess the city has decided it's
cheaper to supply them with drugs than treat them.

WAYNE APRIL, San Francisco

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady