According to your Jan. 29 article, "Treatment center tops Alston's list," Guilford County Commissioner Melvin Alston reported that he would push to find solutions to fight the crack cocaine problem during commissioners' two-day planning retreat in Chapel-Hill.
The article described how Melvin is concerned with gaining a working knowledge of how to combat the crack problem.
I wonder how high crack was on his priority list when Melvin was involved with the now-defunct and depressingly expensive St. James Homes. Under Melvin's guidance, St. James became a haven for crack dealers and users.
I find it despicable how local leaders have waited so long to put crack at the top of their priority lists. Crack has been burning paths through lower-class communities for decades -- specifically African American communities.
The article ended with Melvin being quoted as saying, "We don't need to lock people up who have a disease," and I agree with him.
The ones who should be locked up are the ones profiting from the inflicted sorrows.
Ben Holder
Winston-Salem
Comments (1)
As a part of their elected positions, political leaders often have to take the good with the bad, as the above letter so aptly illustrates.
The fact that political leaders are now willing to stand up and be counted as among those willing to find a solution to substance abuse in Guilford County is fantastic.
We have, as a community in Guilford County, seen so many wasted lives as a result of the scourge of addiction. This scourge can be solved, and with all the partners at the table, including county and city governments, we can work to minimize the devastating effects of crack addiction on the the community.
Commissioner Alston, and Mayor Holliday: Please continue to be leaders in this effort. The citizens of your city deserve no less from either of you.
Posted by Bruce Burch | February 9, 2005 3:08 PM