BLADE WAS WRONG TO CHASTISE VOTERS

Thank you, Blade editors, for letting us know that the voters of Lucas
County did the right thing by passing just about every tax renewal or new
tax issue on the ballot. But, of course, it's not a perfect world and as a
result of that, one issue was not passed. And for that, the Blade decided
to chastise the voters.

This particular issue concerns the individuals who make the choice to try
drugs and happen to get addicted.

Now, because they are addicted, we the community, must pay with our taxes
to help them get over their addiction.

Well, pardon me, but they are the ones who decided to try the drugs in the
first place, and they are the ones who decide to continue using the drugs.
I do not understand why the taxpayers should have to shoulder the burden of
ridding these people of their addiction.

There is plenty of drug-awareness education available and most of that is
already funded by the taxpayers. Those who are addicted should get clean on
their own, because it is their problem and their fault.

For The Blade to call the voters of Lucas County "callous and uncaring" is
absolutely ridiculous.

DEWEY WILHELM, Oregon