THE DRUG PROBLEM

The extraordinary public discussion that has been taking place in Rutland
about the region's drug problem is a result of the constructive,
community-spirited work of those involved in Rutland United Neighborhoods.

Turnout at RUN's events, including recent community discussions, has been
high, with people from all parts of the community involved. At one session
a drug addict was sitting next to the state's attorney whose office had
prosecuted her case. Police, students, health care workers, parents - all
have a stake in addressing the problem of drugs. Of course, those with the
most at stake are the addicts themselves.

The community's efforts to confront the problem of drugs are a necessary
first step. Acknowledging the problem in its many forms is essential.

For one thing, it is important for people in the community to recognize
that the abusers in our midst are not an alien population. They are our
sons and daughters, our neighbors and friends. Because the source of most
of the hard drugs in the community is Massachusetts, New York or
Connecticut, dealers and addicts from downcountry have made their way here.
But there are hundreds of addicts in our communities, and they are mainly
Vermonters ensnared in their destructive downward spiral.

Recent discussions by RUN have helped the community confront the reality of
alcohol and drug abuse and the toll it is taking. But talking is not
enough. Action is needed to confront the problem of drug abuse.

The difficulty of addressing the problem could be seen in previous months
when members of the community organized to resist establishment of a
methadone clinic at Rutland Regional Medical Center. For many of the
addicts in the community, methadone would provide a way to stabilize their
lives and work toward getting clean. But there were fears in the community
that such a clinic would attract addicts to Rutland. Opposition from the
community and lack of money from the state stalled the project.

But it will do no good to acknowledge the problem of addiction and then
refuse to take the necessary steps to address the problem. It will be
important for the Rutland community to pay close attention to the
operations of a new methadone clinic in Burlington. The success or failure
of the Burlington clinic could either allay or confirm fears among skeptics
in Rutland.

Meanwhile, state policymakers must recognize that the foundation exists in
the Rutland community for progress in addressing the drug problem. When he
was secretary of human services, Cornelius Hogan said that for the state to
take additional action against drug abuse, communities would have to be
involved. Rutland is involved. Now is the time for bold action to establish
the facilities and dedicate the resources to addressing the problem.

A wide spectrum of the community understands the need for more treatment
options for addicts of all kinds, including alcoholics and heroin addicts.
The police have been among the most outspoken supporters of expanded
treatment. They understand their enforcement efforts are futile without the
resources in the community to break the cycle of addiction.

Gov.-elect James Douglas should be giving serious consideration, not just
to the expansion of the state police, but to the expansion of a full range
of treatment options, particularly for young people. Rutland, which is
establishing a drug court and which has engaged in an exemplary community
dialogue, could lead the way.