UNDERSTAND PROBLEMS FACING PROSTITUTES; GET THEM HELP

Experience teaches us that it's OK that everybody doesn't "get it." The
fact that Phil Luciano titled his column "There's help for hookers in
Peoria" confirms the fact that he doesn't "get it." This statement implies
that the slain or missing black women were hookers first and whatever else
second. Prostitution is simply a symptom of drug addiction. I haven't heard
the term hookers since shag carpeting went out.

Just because drug dealers are not losing any sleep over selling drugs
doesn't mean that we can't make them lose some sleep over getting busted.
Just because there are various agencies that offer a year-long program cut
into three-month terms doesn't mean that we should not work to establish
services that provide more intensive treatment. Maybe a person indulging in
drug use for 20 years may need more than a three-month term treatment
before moving on to life skills and transitioning components.

Big deal that most hookers don't trust cops. The majority of the black
community, even those upstanding, law-abiding citizens, don't trust cops
based upon past history. This doesn't stop us from working with law
enforcement to resolve issues and others in our community.

Robin P. Berry

Peoria