TRANQUILLE PAYPHONE WORKS TO PAY IT FORWARD

Editor:

Re: The Oct. 3 letter about whether to remove a payphone from Tranquille
Road due to use of it by drug dealers and addicts and prostitutes
('Tranquille payphone helped save life of daughter,'):

I found that the case the writer made for leaving the payphone in
place was a very strong one.

If one other person used this payphone as a lifeline to gain freedom
from the slavery of addiction, it is well worth leaving it in place -
even if others will use it to buy drugs.

This payphone may be a way of paying it forward.

A young woman who escaped from the darkness of addiction and an early
death is given a second chance.

She is now working (paying taxes) and going to school to be able to
make a higher income (paying more taxes) and may even buy a home (city
taxes).

Since she is a beautiful, vibrant, strong young woman, she may also
raise children.

She will become a customer of retailers, contributing to their
income.

Raising a family is expensive.

If the children grow up wise, they may change the world and be
destined to find a solution to the problems of addictions.

The return to society of saving one person from a destructive
lifestyle is high and well worth the effort.

Barbara Garrett

Kamloops