PARENTS, YOU CAN FIND HELP AND HOPE FOR CHILDREN USING HEROIN

The March 24 front-page article by Barbara White Stack emphasizing the
dangers of heroin and other drug use among adolescents was both
enlightening and frightening ("Heroin's Hold"). In the treatment community,
we know that heroin never really goes away, but we have been seeing more
young, suburban users than ever before.

While the article correctly pointed out that parents are not always to
blame when a child becomes addicted, the parents must have the courage to
take the next step and get help for their children. With treatment, there
is hope for recovery.

This article provided a valuable service by letting parents know there are
community resources available to help their children receive the treatment
they need. The O.U.R. House program described in the article is one of a
number of addiction services provided by St. Francis Medical Center. This
program helps to provide hope for adolescents' recovery, and it's
especially important to note that even if a child relapses following
treatment, there is still hope of recovery.

As parents, as the community, we cannot afford to believe anything else.

JACK WOZNIAK Director of Addiction Services St. Francis Medical Center
Lawrenceville