PARENTS WITH A DRUG PROBLEM:

The following was an unpublished Letter to the Editor:
Dear Editor,
You imply that the 7000 patients being treated medically with the medication methadone fall under the rubric "parent with a drug problem" (Feb.19). This does a terrible disservice to patients and providers of medical care that has for over 40 years been demonstrated to be uniquely effective in permitting opiate dependent people to lead healthy, productive, responsible lives. To the extent you suggest society should give up on efforts to help these 7000 (there are no alternatives for the vast majority!), you help to perpetuate and aggravate the problems faced by the children you wish to protect.