PLANO DRUG POLICIES

In a Feb. 2 article ("Heroin deaths in Plano are down, but are they out?"),
Clint Scofield tells us how some people are unsympathetic to his son's
overdose death. If Mr. Scofield should read this, I want to assure him that
I am not one of them. Like many metroplex parents, I have had a child who
was into drugs. Like most, mine emerged OK and without a criminal record,
though it was a rocky three years.

Those who have not had to deal with this situation may be unaware of how
limited their options are. Long-term residential treatment may take months
to get into and is beyond the financial ability of most people. Insurance
companies often severely limit their policy coverage. State facilities are
only available to those who have demonstrated they are a threat to
themselves or others.

Unlike Detective Terrence Holway, I deplore tough policies like those of
the Plano Police Department. It may look good for Plano that some of their
overdose victims are showing up as other hospitals' statistics. It cannot
be good for the overdose victims.

The help that parents need is advocated by 17-year-old student Lei Liew,
who is president of Plano Senior High School's chapter of Students Taking
Action Not Drugs. She says, "Our focus is to get those people who do use
drugs to desire a different lifestyle as opposed to taking action against
them."

My view is those who want to pack 'em off to prison are on the opposing
side to parents.

Larry Nickerson, Fort Worth