DRUGS HURT ADDICT, FAMILY, COMMUNITY

The controversy over whether the methadone clinic should be allowed to
operate [in Fantasy Harbour] is turning into Myrtle Beach's version of
Vietnam. We're losing our objectivity. It's obvious that those most
opposed are those who have to live with the fact that a legally
sanctioned drug emporium is operating in their back yards, while those
in favor are those who gain from its operation.

The "clinic" is not a fix for the drug-addiction problem - it's a fix,
in drug terms. All they are doing is feeding the addiction with
another drug under controlled administration. Who pays? Ultimately, we
all do. The drug habit involves activities that are detrimental to
society. In reality, we've changed the "dealer" who receives payment
while doing nothing to eliminate the addiction.

Those who lose are the addicts - husbands, wives, sons and daughters -
because they are still hooked on one of the devil's elixirs. It
affects their families, those who care about them and even those who
may not know them. If we are a caring community, we should be reaching
out not to give them their next fix, but reaching out to give them the
resources to fix the problem. If only it could be that simple.

On [S.C. Rep. Thad Viers'] involvement in the issue, he's responsible
to those who elected him, and he is taking a stand on their behalf.
You don't see too many politicians who are willing to stand up and
fight on behalf of something other than big business. I don't take his
comments concerning other public officials as a threat, because he's
stating a reality: We are all accountable for our actions - just like
he will be accountable to his constituents. He's taking the heat for a
problem that was allowed to start before District 68 became a separate
district. My hat's off to him.

The writer, a District 68 resident, lives in Myrtle Beach.