DON'T CUT DRUG-FUNDING TREATMENT

Dr. Steve Gleason died as a result of drug addiction. My daughter,
Angela Fatino, also died as a result of drug addiction. Both deaths
were determined to be suicide with a handgun. Last year Angela's
photographs were published in the Register - not as a scare tactic,
but rather as a picture of the reality of drug addiction in Iowa.

The death of Gleason has forced us once again to face this
devastating reality. Ironically, Angela had a dream of becoming a doctor.

Recently, Iowa was commended for passing the toughest anti-meth laws
in the nation. We refused to allow the federal law to weaken them.
Once again, our efforts are threatened by proposed cuts in funding
for Iowa's drug-treatment centers and Iowa law enforcement.

This is simply unacceptable in Iowa, where we truly value children,
families and communities.

- - Julie D. Fatino

Des Moines.