METH CLINIC NEEDED

EDITOR: This letter is in response to the article Dec. 5 regarding the
proposed methadone clinic being "scrapped."

Mr. Darden and the "select few" - whoever they are - should not be
feeling proud. They have denied many residents in this area of any
hope of ending the cycle of drug addiction. The expense of obtaining
treatment out of town, plus the expense of the treatment, will keep
many people from getting the help they need.

Jimmy Blevins' response Dec. 18 to the news about the clinic was
absolutely, completely on target. It seems the only attention the drug
addict will get is to be arrested, jailed and fined. How is that
helping anyone?

Once Johnson City had "won," I had hoped the effort to build a clinic
in Bristol would be successful. It seems, however, those in Bristol,
too, are denying there is a serious need in the area. Other cities
have recognized the problem and are doing something about it. Why not
this area? We could win a lot more by helping, rather than punishing.

WANDA HERRILL

Jonesborough