DRUG ADDICTION

I have to reply to Garrett Schell's letter regarding Natacha Campbell's
death from a heroin overdose ("Our Natacha - 'Kids are gonna be kids',"
March 9). I am qualified to do so, because I was recently released from
jail on probation for a crime that was heroin related.

I have been drug free for 11 months, three of those months were spent in
jail. Mr. Schell's attitude that "it's no one's fault but the addicts" is
completely untrue. I'm sure Natacha did not wake up one morning and decide
to become an addict. I certainly didn't. There were many outside
influences, and then, of course, she (and I) had to obtain the heroin from
someone. Until those influences are shown for what they really are (deadly
not "cool") and the suppliers and supply are removed, no one can escape
responsibility. If we accepted all drug-related incidents as "accidents,"
that would be admitting defeat. And I, for one, am not ready to do that.

C. ARMSTRONG, Dallas