KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING NEEDED TO COMBAT DRUG PROBLEMS

A member of the community was outraged that a woman would be given a second
chance at treatment just because she is pregnant (Letters, July 19) and said
that all drug dealers and addicts deserve to be in jail because they need to
"learn their lessons."

I believe this attitude shows a lack of information about drug addictions.
Drug addicts are people and all people deserve a second chance regardless of
who they are. I am speaking from experience.

Nine years ago someone decided that I deserved a second chance and that made
a difference in my life. Today I am a working professional, a law-abiding
citizen, and I pay taxes just like everyone else.

I am a recovering alcoholic/addict. I believe this to be a pure miracle. We
must not give up before the miracle happens. This second chance might be the
miracle that this defendant and her unborn child are waiting for.

Drug addicts and dealers are not ruining our towns. They are members of our
community. Perhaps our towns are being ruined by the lack of education about
the addictions in our community.

Toni Waikiki

Kihei