DRUG PROGRAM CRIPPLED

Sunday February 02, 2003

Re: "Jordan unveils new team, goals," Jan. 30.

The evening my colleagues and I were laid off from the district attorney's
office, Eddie Jordan gave a news statement indicating he wanted to pursue
alternative programs for drug offenders. Without realizing it, he had just
crippled his own diversionary program, one of the most effective
alternative sentencing programs I've ever encountered.

We offered counseling, referrals to job search and training, GED placement
help and experienced, caring hearts and minds.

We who do this work are motivated by compassion, not politics. We are loyal
to the work, not the boss.

Had Mr. Jordan afforded us the dignity of an interview by people competent
in our field, he might have understood the valuable human resource he'd
inherited was ready and willing to work for him.

After filling out our own pink slips and separation documents, my
colleagues and I quietly packed up our belongings, said our good-byes and
left with our dignity intact.

There is no shame in being treated dishonorably.

Adolph Lopez

New Orleans