I would like to thank News-Press, in particular David Plazas,
the paper s community conversation editor, for the campaign announced in your
Sunday, February 18th editorial, to fight substance
abuse and to provide treatment for those suffering from this disease. The
forum you organized last week brought together an impressive group of community
leaders who understand the substance abuse problems in our community and what
can be done to address them. The fact that they have come together and are
committed to moving the community to action, is a very hopeful sign. But
the community leaders can t solve this problem without the involvement and
support of the community at large. I hope that in response to your
upcoming series of feature articles and editorials, that many people in the
community will become engaged in the dialogue, share their stories, and begin to
hold our elected officials accountable for the lack of adequate services for
people suffering from substance abuse, as well as those with mental illness.
The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva has partnered with Southwest
Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS) for the past six years, and we have seen
first-hand its effectiveness in assisting addicts to become productive
citizens. With the support of a generous community, we have augmented
SWFAS efforts with small grants as well as advocacy and hands-on assistance.
However, major resource investments are needed from the State and local
government so that SWFAS and other service providers can meet the growing
needs.
Just as our roads, hospitals and other critical systems must
keep pace with population growth, so too, must the human services. If we
fail to respond to people who need help, the community will pay an even greater
price, not only in human terms, but in public expenditures for jails, emergency
rooms and crisis units that bear the brunt of our inability to respond to people
with needs.
Darla Letourneau
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