GET EDUCATED ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE

I am astounded at all this talk about wanting to stop the abuse of
narcotics, and how they want to help people. That's so typical.

I have tried repeatedly for more than a year to get help for a family
member who has overdosed twice -- and has actually died and been on a
respirator -- and no one would help me. I have written letters to
judges; I wrote to the editor; and I have called the courts, and I
can't get one person to direct me anywhere.

It's all about money, and if you don't have any, well you just can't
get any help. How many drug addicts do you know who really can hold a
job, let alone have insurance? If a person is a drug addict, and they
are a danger to themselves, I believe a family member should have the
right to take control of their choices and decision-making until they
can prove to be stable and competent enough to do it on their own.
It's way past time to get control, and I, for one, love my family
enough to fight and take a stand in any way I have to.

Talking to someone and simple counseling is not always enough. Where
are the detox centers and treatment centers? Get educated on
substance abuse, and maybe then you will realize how to properly
assist in eliminating the problem.

Louella Lynn, Zanesville