PUBLIC HEALTH
Each of us is affected by overdose epidemic
“Pill problems plague Georgia” (ajc.com, March 2) addresses a serious public health problem that is sweeping across every state. Drug overdose death rates in the U.S. have quadrupled since 1990. This rise parallels a tenfold increase in the prescribing of opioid painkillers (such as oxycodone, methadone and hydrocodone). Such painkillers are now involved in more overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.
States are addressing this epidemic with promising strategies: through prescription drug monitoring programs; by restricting rogue pain clinics that dispense opioids with little discretion; and requiring tamper-resistant prescription forms.
This epidemic of fatal overdoses affects everyone, from a father dependent on painkillers he was prescribed after an injury, to a teenager who lifts drugs from the family medicine cabinet. We can all play a role in reducing the problem by supporting efforts to curb abuse of prescription drugs.
Thomas R. Frieden, director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
IMMIGRATION
Today’s ‘hate,’ KKK are not comparable
I just read the letter comparing the “hate” occurring in our Legislature regarding illegal immigration and the hate occurring in the 1940s and 1950s with the KKK (“Hatred rears its head in illegal-immigration foes,” Readers write, Opinion, March 8). There is absolutely no comparison between the two.
In the 1940s and 1950s, the Klan’s movement was based on racial hate and perceived inferiority of blacks, who were here legally, and had the same rights as other U.S. citizens.
The “hate” being denounced by this writer is legislation targeted at people who are here illegally, which makes them criminals every bit as much as robbers, rapists, drug lords and embezzlers. How does one compare our Legislature punishing criminals with the KKK?
Bob Keeler, Alpharetta
PUBLIC SAFETY
Streaming scores is proof that money talks
Let’s see if I’ve got this right. Texting while driving is distracting, so it’s outlawed in Georgia. Roadside memorials are distracting, so they’re prohibited in Georgia. The Department of Transportation is going to remove them, and offer alternatives for sale. But billboards along our interstates aren’t distracting enough, so we’re going to add streaming sports scores, and cut down any trees that get in their way. This is further proof that money talks. We already know what walks, but now it drives the highways, too.
Steve Warren, Atlanta
GOVERNMENT
If Congress is serious, cut military spending
Our federal budget should reflect our values and priorities. Congress should oppose any budget proposal that increases military spending, while cutting programs that benefit the poor (especially children). We need to support programs that support health care; family nutrition; education; and international aid. If Congress is serious about the deficit, it should cut military spending and corporate subsidies to big business, and address long-term costs of health care and Social Security.
Alex Chu, Atlanta
