WHY SHOULD THE VOTERS SUPPORT ADAS?

Ronald Randall complained in his Saturday Essay that voters passed levies
for Children Services and Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
but turned down the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services levy. He advocates
lumping all three of these programs into a Human Services Levy. He can't
understand why voters don't support a program such as ADAS. I know why!

The retarded and their families had no control over their situations. Most
voters feel they deserve our support. There, but for the grace of God, go I.

While the parents of children caught in dangerous or abusive situations may
be at fault, it isn't the kids who should suffer, is it? Most voters
empathize with them. Now, let's look at those who ask for treatment through
ADAS. Most, if not all, seek treatment after they are arrested for breaking
the law.

Why not ask for it sooner? Simple answer: They were enjoying themselves!
They want the courts to sympathize with them and grant probation or a
lighter sentence. Their court-appointed attorney will advise them that it
will go a lot easier on sentencing day if they show that they are trying.
Then, given a light sentence, they will return to their addiction.

Don't believe me? Check the recidivism statistics. By the way, we are
already paying for the attorney. Who cares about this type of individual?
Why should we? They didn't know that they were getting themselves into an
addiction?

Nancy Reagan was a proponent of "Just Say No!" This small minority had the
same choice as the rest of us, "Just Say No!" And our county commissioners
need to "Just Say No!" to Mr. Randall's proposal. This is merely an attempt
to skirt the voters' will.

DAVID J. DILLON

Sylvania