ALL EAST-SIDERS 'WORTHY'

I am disappointed by this story and headline -- as if the others who die on
the east side are not nice.

Death from drugs is more likely a reflection of the pain and hoplessness in
an individual's life than a measure of socio-economic position.

Even if drugs are sought for the thrills, rather than for the escape, much
more is being said about society and the choices offered than about any
individual's family.

To see this headline screaming out from newspaper boxes can do nothing but
hurt those already feeling let down by society. To judge those addicted to
drugs as worthy or unworthy of death is unethical, immoral and unjust.

My disappointment is that educated and powerful editors have chosen not to
enlighten and encourage society to build itself up, but to promote the
destructive ignorance and prejudice hidden behind such judgmental untruths.

Margaret A. Elliott, VANCOUVER

The implication from your story "Good kids die, too" is that the rest of the
folks who live in the downtown east side are "bad kids" or somehow less
worthy of our sympathy than this attractive Caucasian girl from a so-called
"good family."

No one deserves to live in grinding poverty and degradation.

All the young people in the downtown east side are "good kids." All the
people in the area are worthy of respect and dignity.

Life is increasingly difficult in the downtown east side, where everyone
started out as a "good kid." The lives that end with overdose, murder, AIDS,
or Hepatitis C are no less tragic if they are the lives of third-generation
welfare recipients.

By all means publish articles about life in the downtown east side, a
neighbourhood under siege and people who try to make a life there. And
publish articles that explain what readers are doing -- or can do -- to make
a difference.

Remember that all folks there are worthy, not just the young, white kids
from the suburbs.

Erin Graham, VANCOUVER


Checked-by: Don Beck