HELP FOR ADDICTED

Glenn Smith's March 10 article on the death of Terry Dunbar begins to grasp
the true nature of drug addiction. Drug and alcohol addiction is a disease
from which countless Americans suffer. Friends and family rightly grieve
over the tragic loss of this young man to his battle with the disease. Yet
friends, family, concerned citizens and lawmakers must also take the time
to evaluate and challenge our state's ineffective drug policies. South
Carolina has a brutal history of punishing drug addiction instead of
treating it. This holds particularly true for pregnant women who suffer
from the disease of addiction. Even today, women who should be in treatment
centers are herded through the criminal justice system, a policy that has
been strongly criticized by all major medical associations, including the
AMA and the SCMA. By punishing women who suffer from drug addiction, we
fail to recognize the true nature of the disease. As Mr. Smith's article
demonstrated, a compassionate response of treatment through the health care
system, not the criminal justice system, is imperative. Let's hope that as
a state, we can follow Mr. Smith's example and begin to show compassion and
support for all individuals who suffer from this horrendous disease.

WYNDI ANDERSON, KAREN MOLDOVAN, DELACEY SKINNER

S.C. Advocates for Pregnant Women

KATHY MOORE

Charleston National Organization for Women