WHIDBEY
OPINION Page A6
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Saturday, April 26, 2014 • Whidbey News-Times
Share the cold, hard facts about impacts of heroin PUBLISHER’S COLUMN
By KEVEN R. GRAVES
I was raised not to use the word “hate.” My mother used to say, you “dislike” something, don’t say “hate.” Most of the time I’m conscientious of that little rule. Most of the time. But there are times when “hate” is the only word available to describe how intensely you feel about something.
I hate heroin. I hate what heroin does to people, and not just what it does to those who use it. It’s a drug that shatters lives and families. In our April 19 edition of the Whidbey News-Times, reporter Jessie Stensland reported on increasing heroin use on the island. It’s an important article that I hope every parent and grandparent reads. It’s available online at www.whidbeynewstimes.com In the article, Oak Harbor Police Detective Carl Seim expresses his fear that use of heroin, which is relatively inexpensive, may be becoming a serious problem in our community. And heroin users seem to be getting younger. Once thought to be a drug used more by hardcore, older users, Island County Drug Court coordinator Zachary Lively said he’s seen more 15- and 16-year-olds using heroin. This is frightening information. For her article, Stensland interviewed a heroin user who said heroin started showing up on the island in 2010. He said $20 will buy a user enough heroin to get two people high “for a day and a half.” Just how big of a problem heroin is on Whidbey Island is mostly anecdotal. There aren’t studies or statistics yet that tell us exactly what is going on. But we have representatives from different branches of law and justice telling us that they’re witnessing a troubling trend. Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks and Langley Mayor Fred McCarthy are spearheading a subcommittee on the Island County Law and Justice Council to tackle the problem. This task force deserves the full support of all of Island County’s criminal justice agencies, each of the school districts on the island and parents. SEE GRAVES, A7
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Government
Navy spends too much money on airplanes Editor, This is an open letter to the Navy and its representatives, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. I want to comment on the article “Navy looks to purchase 22 more Growlers from Boeing.” It’s hard for me to know where to begin. Let me start with the fact that in a recent poll of a sampling of approximately 60,000 citizens in 68 countries, when asked “Which country is the greatest threat to world peace?” America, by a huge margin, was number one. As an American citizen I am appalled by this fact. In America, where the long-term unemployed can’t get extended unemployment benefits, we have the resources to buy 22 more Growlers at a minimum price just shy of 1.5 billion dollars. Or how about the fact that education and its costs are at an all-time high for
students and parents, yet we can waste this kind of money for more death and destruction machines to, as you say, be “very mindful of the industrial base.” Is this the American Industrial Base, killing machines? With all due respect, admiral, a better “hedge and risk reduction” effort would be to put this kind of huge money into healthcare, education, food assistance for poor people facing food security issues, heating assistance for the elderly ... well you get the idea, because this type of misguided and foolish spending is of no benefit to American citizens. This very attitude that the military and its budget are sacrosanct is a major detriment to what has been identified in the past as “American values.” This enormous military budget is for what? As a citizen, this kind of waste makes me angry because the people right here at home need to have this wasted money re-invested in America for Americans, not used to “defend” the business interests of the 1 percent all over the planet, giving us the dubious distinction of being identified as “the biggest threat to world peace.” Dan Freeman Clinton
Veterans
Man’s false claims to be veteran are offensive
Editor, In regard to your article which featured a “51 year-old Vietnam vet, which would have made him 12 when the war ended in 1975, as a disabled combat Vietnam veteran myself I find it very offensive that people like this gentleman sit on corners and begs rather than stepping up to the plate and taking care of himself and his family. Has he no pride in himself, and what kind of example is he setting for his family? I have worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs for 28 years and have seen countless “veterans” who claim to be disabled, but truly are not — some of them not even veterans. It is people like these who seek unwarranted and fraudulent compassion and sympathy from unsuspecting citizens, and who piggyback this on the tragedy and horrendous disabilities that have befallen the true heroes and those who have served. Sir, man up and get a life. Bruce Williams-Burden Freeland
Executive Editor & Publisher........................................................................................ Keven R. Graves Marketing Representatives.........................................................................Phil Dubois, Debbie Leavitt Associate Publisher..............................................................................................................Kim Winjum Creative Manager................................................................................................................. Connie Ross Co-Editors........................................................................................ Jessie Stensland and Megan Hansen Lead Creative Artist...........................................................................................Michelle Wolfensparger Reporters.............................................................Michelle Beahm, Janis Reid, Ron Newberry, Jim Waller Creative Artists............................................................................................. Adine Close, Jennifer Miller Administrative Coordinator............................................................................................Renee Midgett Circulation Manager...................................................................................................... Diane Smothers Senior Marketing Representative...................................................................................Teri Mendiola Circulation Assistant........................................................................................................ Liam K. Graves IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES The Whidbey News-Times (ISSN 1060-7161) is published semi-weekly by Sound Publishing on Wednesdays and Saturdays for $19 for 3 months, $29 for 6 months, $45 per year and $75 for 2 years delivered by carrier in island county from North Whidbey Island to Greenbank; $20 for 3 months, $32 for 6 months, $52 per year and $94 for 2 years delivered by in county mail from Greenbank to Clinton; $35 for 3 months, $65 for 6 months, $105 per year mailed out of county. Payment in advance is required. It is published by The Whidbey News-Times PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Periodicals rate postage paid at Coupeville, WA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Whidbey News-Times, PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Copyright © 2014, Sound Publishing
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