Document text
Letters to the Editor, Jan. 16 Monday Jan 16, 2017 at 12:01 AM Breaking the meth cycle In response to the Jan. 11 editorial, I have a couple of opinions on meth users. Yes, they choose to use the drug, and are responsible for their actions, even under the influence of hallucinations. However, I do see drug use as a societal problem. I would imagine that most meth users are people who feel their lives are going nowhere, and the drug makes them feel, at least initially, on top of the world. If there were a sense of hope in their lives, perhaps job training programs that led to solid, high-paying jobs, for example, fewer would turn to the escape of drugs. Some families are multi-generational drug users, and somehow the pattern must be broken. Drug education is very important, but more must be done. These children need to feel their lives have a purpose. Intervention is key, before the problem repeats itself. They need to be exposed to nature, animals, growing things, ideas. Also, prisons need to implement programs that give the jailed addicts job skills and psychological tools for when they get out, or a return to addiction is almost guaranteed. Costly? Probably less than keeping them in prison over and over, as they re-offend. Katharine Lang Ashland Thanks for dental support St. Vincent de Paul would like to thank Providence Health & Services, Asante and the Greater Medford Rotary Foundation for their financial support of our mobile dental clinics. This free monthly service is available to low-income, elderly and homeless individuals. Volunteer dental clinic staff offer extractions and fillings. The next clinic is scheduled for Thursday, Jan 19, at the St. Vincent Medford campus, 2424 N. Pacific Highway. Because of the demand for this service, appointments are required. To schedule a time, call 541-772-3828, ext. 6. Rich Hansen Medford Sherm makes a difference I first walked into Thunderbird market in 1972 when I was 8 years old (and have shopped there ever since.) In 1977, when my parents first released Valley View wines, Sherm quickly put it on the shelf and has ever since. He bought sweet corn my siblings and I grew and rainbow trout we raised, caught, cleaned and delivered before school. Later on, as I became involved with many local nonprofits, I found out that Sherm has had a positive impact on every single one. A decade ago when I co-chaired the Medford school bond campaign and pointed out the need for a fence securing McLoughlin Middle School playground, Sherm wrote a check right after he read about the situation. My sons grew up playing on Olsrud Basketball Court at both St. Mary’s and Kids Unlimited schools. And he often wants no recognition or credit. Few of us can match Sherm and his family’s financial generosity but we all can make a difference: Read to a child, volunteer, join a board, even put a bag of food on your front porch every month. Thank you Sherm, Wanda, Steve and your entire family for your decades of service to Southern Oregon. Mark Wisnovsky Jacksonville Decide for yourself For those opposed to nuclear power, visit http://www.pbs.org/show/nova/ and watch the episode "The Nuclear Option." For those worried about global warming, see https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/13/fossil-fuel-burning-postponing-next-ice-age. For those who think regulation doesn’t cost anything: http://nahbnow.com/2016/05/regulations-add-a-whopping-84671-to-new-home-prices/ For those who think there should be no alternatives to public schools, Google search YouTube for John Stossel — The Education Blob and the movie "Waiting for Superman." For those who think the drug war is a good thing: https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/paradox/htele.html, and Google search "14 Years After Decriminalizing All Drugs, Here's What Portugal Looks Like." Larry Fields Medford