LETTERS: Opioid epidemic begs for treatment funding

SHARE LETTERS: Opioid epidemic begs for treatment funding
city_opiod_lawsuit_71352775.jpg

Feds responding to the opioid epidemic are squeezing a doctor to reduce prescriptions, though the doctor argues his treatment protocol is justified and necessary. | AP Photo/Toby Talbot

Declaring the opioid epidemic as a public health emergency instead of a national emergency is inadequate and, largely, a ruse. The latter would have made funds available to fight this crisis, but instead, again, we have words, not actions from this presidential administration on issues that really affect ordinary Americans.

Tens of thousands of people die each year from addiction. To reignite remnants of the “Just Say No” campaign will further alienate individuals with a substance use disorder and condemn them to untimely and tragic deaths. As a substance use disorder professional, as well as a person in recovery from a substance use disorder, I know that treatment works and recovery is possible. It is a lack of funding and interest that is literally killing hundreds of thousands of people. We need money for medical treatment for this medical disease, and we need it now.

Rosemary Callahan, Northbrook

SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes.

Put children ahead of gun lobby

I am so relieved that 40 percent  of  Rep. Jerry Costello’s 50 to 60 weapons will not be banned, now that he has helped to defeat the bump stock gun legislation. Unfortunately, while Costello is representing the gun interests, no one is representing our young people and their right to live a life free of fear and actual threat of gunfire.

I beseech Costello to come to his senses and stand up to the gun lobby to protect our children. He is in a position to become a savior, not a menace to the next generation. Do it!

Dick Nielsen, chair, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force,

Justice Ministry of the First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple

Trump and Gen. Lee

Gen. John Kelly praised Gen. Robert E. Lee as an honorable man who “gave up his country to fight for his state.” Given this rationalization, how John Kelly can stomach working with Donald Trump, a man who gives up his country to enrich his own wallet?

Martin Nicholson, Niles

Corporate tax breaks have not led to higher wages

Those who advocate for more cuts in corporate taxes suggest that corporations would share the additional profits with their employees. Based on past behavior, this is ridiculous. Since the 1970’s, virtually all the corporate gains in income have gone to stockholders and upper management; worker pay has barely budged. When corporations were allowed to bring in profits they had stowed overseas, they raised dividends and executed stock buy-backs. This additional revenue was not used to invest more or to raise wages. Corporations already are sitting on huge piles of cash in this country, not bothering to share it with their employees.

Lee Knohl, Evanston

The Latest
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
The Hawks conceded the game’s only two goals within the first seven minutes and were shut out for the 12th time this season in a 2-0 defeat Thursday.