THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 10, 1996 TAG: 9605100003
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Once again the continuing upward trend of substance abuse among our youth has been reported.
We also hear how a great number of Generation Xers complain they do not have anything left at the end of the month - they are just making it from paycheck to paycheck. Substance-abuse habits are supported before any attempts to save are made. The billions of dollars spent on illegal drugs are not a part of any cost-of-living index I have ever seen.
Individual substance abuse among generations is cyclical in nature. The Boomers who used drugs have had their turn, and those who are left are survivors. Those of that group who did not get themselves under control have gone by the wayside.
It is time we as individuals get serious about this problem and stop ignoring the human debris piling up all around us. Don't count on the government to solve the problem. While it is comforting to be proactive about abused children, balancing the budget, term limits, politics, ecology, animal rights, etc., why not include substance abuse along with the other issues you are fond of? Substance abuse does not sweep your entire block at one time; it hits one member of a family but affects the entire family and our community.
ROBERT T. WICK
Virginia Beach, May 1, 1996 by CNB