DENIAL AND INDIFFERENCE TOWARD PROBLEMS ARE THE TRUE CRIMES

Re: Dealing with the demons of cocaine, Forester front, March 9.

Finally, not only the demons of cocaine, but the demons of our
community are coming to light. Maybe the mayor's comments that
Huntsville is crack house-free ignited the fire.

True, we don't have boarded up abandoned houses with a whole bunch of
junkies inside getting stoned. But Huntsville's 'crack houses' are for
real. They are regular homes, most of them with children, where users
gather any day of the week to indulge in their habit. From business
people to 17-year-old dropouts, the police are not usually alerted of
these 'parties' because they are calm, quiet, and private, but
nevertheless lethal.

There is drug and alcohol abuse and homelessness (that's another
letter to editor altogether) in our community, but what I see the most
is the indifference of those who can initiate action to resolve these
problems: the local newspapers and local politicians. I am tired of
reading bubble gum stories and denials of what truly afflicts our
community. We can't continue to turn a blind eye. Hats off to Tamara
for opening that can of worms!

Having said that, here is a suggestion: Let us read about our
afflictions, about unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness,
children who go to school hungry. But let us also read about how a
community came together and formed or supported already existing
groups such as Parent Coalitions, child and youth centres that provide
counselling, about Big Brothers and Big Sisters, breakfast clubs,
parenting courses, oh my, so many! I want to read about these every
day!

We were able to raise so much money for the tsunami victims, why not
do the same for our local victims? Charity begins at home.

Veronica McNamee

Kearney