Letters to the editor

Addiction, mental health programs can’t afford to be cut

Dear Editor:
As president of the Alabama Voices of Recovery and the founder of Friends of Recovery Madison, Morgan, Lawrence, Limestone, Cullman and Randolph County, I have been a witness to vulnerable populations in community and mental health organizations.
I understand that fiscal times are tough, which means hard decisions must be made. Every day seems to bring a new proposal to cut or freeze spending on programs that support the addictions and mental health safety net.
Fully funding mental health and the substance abuse division is not only the right thing to do for vulnerable individuals in need. It also saves money by preventing costly hospitalizations, incarcerations and other adverse outcomes.
I urge you to oppose budget cuts to these areas. We need the support of our local leaders now more than ever to break the cycle of addiction and strengthen our families.
Please join in our advocacy movement to urge our appointed leaders not to cut the budget for substance abuse services.
T. Michael McLemore
Friends of Recovery

Community showed hospitality in our time of loss

Dear Editor:
My family and I had the misfortune to attend a funeral in your community and we would like to thank every one in the community for the respect that was given.
This was a show of true southern hospitality
Darwin Withers
Sparta, Wis.

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news@hartselleenquirer.com. Only signed comments can be included as Letters to the Editor.