COMMUNITY HAS POWER TO MAKE HEROIN ADDICTS' JOURNEY TO RECOVERY EASIER

Your newspaper is to be commended for its recent articles covering the
local drug epidemic, overdoes, heroin, and methadone. Through the media,
communities communicate and address problems. The Times Leader is acting in
the public interest when it shines a light on these issues.

As the death toll from heroin overdoses continues to mount, the question is
how long it will be permitted to continue. Communities work extremely hard
against heroin addiction.

When treatment isn't available, a phenomenon occurs. The Greeks captured it
in the fable of Sisyphus. Sisyphus labors all day to push a huge boulder up
a hill, only to have it roll back down again each night.

Noble causes deserve to be spared demoralization. When someone with the
devastating brain disorder of opiate addiction is ready to accept
treatment, it is imperative that it is available. We must seize windows of
opportunity when people seek help to change.

People needing methadone treatment in Luzerne County are put on a waiting
list at an out-of-town facility and asked to wait several months. The
prospect of daily three-hour commutes has been a barrier to the majority
needing help. Addicts seeking treatment should not be discouraged; rather
they need our support and encouragement.

Sadly, myths abound about methadone treatment. However truth will prevail
and the most effective treatment for opiate addiction is methadone. Even
heroic law enforcement efforts to deal with the local heroin epidemic will
not reduce the frustration, despair, and damage to the community. Without
treatment there is no practical way for addicts to return to family and
social roles. Addicted people will continue to suffer and die. Families
will continue to suffer the traumatization caused by multiple life-long
loses. While we cannot help everyone stop using, we should help those we can.

Joycelyn Woods, president

National Alliance of Methadone Advocates

New York