POOR HEALTH BROUGHT ON BY LIFESTYLE CHOICES

To The Editor:

I don't believe for a moment that columnist Susan Lane is blaming others for
her sister's substance abuse as an out-of-state writer suggests. Ms. Lane is
decrying the cutbacks in funding for mental health care, which is needed by
substance abusers and others.

The letter writer from Georgia suggests that substance abusers have brought
on their own unfortunate conditions. This is true.

So my question is this: Why do people want medical insurance with benefits
for prescription drugs when their health conditions are brought about by
their own health habits?

Diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes are costing as
lots of money in taxes for Medicare, and those are illnesses that could be
controlled by diet and exercise. The substance abuse that brings about those
diseases is mainly ingestion of animal products and sugar.

If we are going to cut back on mental health and substance abuse services,
then we surely should cut back on paying for the prescription drugs and
medical are for people with illnesses brought on by all lifestyle choices.

A decrease in spending for mental health and substance abuse will only
result in greatly rising costs for law enforcement and jail construction.

A decrease in spending for prescription drugs, rising chairs and little
scooters for getting around the house, might actually make people more
healthy.

Roselyn Edwards

Fletcher