'BELIEVE' ADS AREN'T FOR THOSE FLEEING THE CITY

Ed Burns' column "City's troubles beyond belief" (Opinion - Commentary, May
14), is exactly the kind of negative thinking the "Believe in Baltimore"
program is trying to combat. It's an attitude that says there is no use
believing in anything -- the problems are too big, too complex, too
manifold to tackle. Throw in the towel, move to the county if you can. Is
the "Believe" campaign's message intended for those fleeing the city? No.

It's meant for those of us who are staying and wouldn't dream of moving,
those of us who love our 15-minute commute, those who have lived in the
county and found it empty and expensive, those of us who enjoy the human
campfire that is the city, with all its idiosyncrasies.

It's meant for those who know drug addicts live in every town and every
county and we will never eradicate them, but who are determined that the
addicts will not rule.

It's meant for those of us who see a glittering city on the dawn of a new
sunrise, steeped in history -- not flawless, but beautiful nonetheless.

Is it a crime to spend money on a program that provides a message of hope? No.

We will feel united in our belief, work on the problems, help whomever we
can, support the police and the mayor and believe in our city.

Georgia Corso

Baltimore

SLOGANS WON'T CURE WHAT AILS BALTIMORE

At last, a shot of truth and honesty for a society addicted to short-term
fixes, failed policies and now the joke that is the "Believe" campaign. As
Ed Burns states in his column "City's troubles beyond belief" (Opinion -
Commentary, May 14), "not a single penny of what must be millions of
dollars for this campaign went into the pockets of the poor." What is
needed is systemic change: universal health care, available and affordable
day care, training programs for mothers coming off welfare, a living
minimum wage, schools that work and treatment on demand for every addict
who wants it.

How can any thinking person believe we can solve the problem of heroin
addiction in our city by arresting addicts and small-time dealers?

Isn't a more rational approach one that views addiction as a health problem
and harm reduction as the goal?

Jessica Heriot

Baltimore