Letters to the Editor

To the editor,

Regarding efforts to defund the library, I question if the real reason is that "they" think the library has more reserves than needed, therefore, no more tax money should go to fund it?

If that is the reason, then, in my opinion, the library board and the public should request a meeting with County Treasurer Carla Rowe. Have a conversation about expense versus income. Perhaps the portion of the property tax the library receives might be lowered, reducing reserves. I don't know, but if I had a concern in that area, I'd ask questions to help me understand the bigger picture.

My reserves may seem high to some, and maybe not high enough to others.

If the concern is about books in question, 'they" can choose not to use the library. It just seems simple to me. Trust me-children can find out what they are curious about with Google or explore on their own.

No one makes anyone go to the library. If parents are concerned, then don't allow your children to go. In my opinion "they" don't have the right to decide for everyone. If a movie is rated R, and that offends you, or you don't want your children to see it, then DON'T GO! If Playboy is on the stand for purchase, and that offends you, DON'T BUY IT. In my opinion, no one has the right to decide for others. That is disrespectful.

Being a grandparent, I'm more concerned with the games kids play, showing characters getting shot, blood and all. Then, of course, in the next game the character is back. I wonder if some of the shooters in these mass killings think it's all a game, not seeing the complete picture of the damage and grief it causes.

Last, but not least, I encourage everyone to take a few minutes, take a tour of the library, have a conversation with Todd, and not allow "them" to make "their" opinion, yours.

Teeny McMunn

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

Substance use disorder is a public health issue, not a criminal justice issue

Substance abuse disorders pose a heavy societal burden, endangering the individual and families, sapping resources not just from healthcare but multi-disciplinary systems, it tears through communities impacting everyone.

Historically most strategies for addressing substance use disorders have centered on punishment, we have known for decades that addiction is a medical condition a treatable brain disorder not a character flaw or a form of social deviance. The rising number of drug overdose deaths and the changing legal status of drugs pose new challenges and represents a major shift in mentality. There has been growing evidence and support for the idea that public policy should be reoriented to emphasize prevention and treatment of substance use disorders through public and individual health interventions rather than excessive reliance on criminalization and incarceration.

Evidence suggests that diverting addicted offenders into court-supervised treatment programs instead of imprisoning them can reduce recidivism and save taxpayers millions of dollars.

It is imperative as a community to support initiatives to increase the behavioral health workforce, implement evidence-based prevention, stigma-reduction programs, and encourage treatment of substance use disorders among incarcerated persons and diversion programs for those with nonviolent drug arrests.

Substance use disorder is a chronic medical condition and should be managed as such through expansion of evidence-based public and individual health initiatives to prevent, treat, and promote recovery.

Theresa Eier, RN

Dayton, Wash.