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Consequences
Editor’s note: We received many responses about the “From the Editor” column in the October 13 issue of this newspaper. Many had personal stories of how friends and family on meth have affected their lives. We have chosen to run the following letters withholding the identities of the writers.
Editor,
My heart throbbed and ached as I read your story. WOW! I can relate. I took in someone who was an addict, also trying to help. I ended up being a victim of identity theft. It has destroyed my credit, and will probably take years to correct.
I am right on this with you. I am sorry you guys had to go through this. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for being bold to speak out against drugs.
Name Withheld
Salt Lake City
Editor,
I just read your column regarding this most vile and offensive intrusion into your and your partner’s private lives.
I just wanted to tell you I am eternally grateful to the spiritual power(s), your lives were spared. I am also incredibly moved by your courage to divulge something so terrifying and personal—as a way of alerting our community to such horrible consequences resulting from the use of meth and other drugs within our society, that could only be minutes away from happening to any of us.
I sincerely hope you will not allow this awful event to color your world and keep you from remaining a good-hearted person. Your hospitality, although offered in honesty, was grossly maligned. But, know there are people out there who are worth your generosity and giving nature. I applaud your caring and know that “karma” will prevail in some reward for you, somewhere, sometime.
I have always believed the good are the victims and never the victors. However, try to realize these individuals, who put you in the shadow of death, are ill and their illness is created by a society of haves and have-nots. The path they have taken is sick and wrong, but it is because they were never given the opportunities to live without some sort of “crutch.” I don’t know if it is childhood or adult situations that causes a person to turn to drugs. But, I do believe it happens because they are not prepared for life and drug delusions are the only answer for them.
I am not making excuses, I am as vehemently against drugs as anyone. I have lost a brother and a sister to drugs. I have watched drugs take down the mighty to their own deaths. I am just saying our society is responsible for why drugs are rampant. It is an easy way out of responsibility for some and a necessary tool for survival for others.
In a country so great in freedom causes, we can not even help our own to establish and maintain healthy, productive lives. It is a nation of classes and casts and a nation of hiding our poor and hungry. It is why apathy is running amok and it will be the final undoing of our great nation.
Police departments nationwide can not fix a problem that is without borders and laws and resources. And, it is the reason why we must always be able to take care of what is ours—our loved ones, our property and our lives. Because, no one else will. We need to take back our country and stop policing the other country’s, when we are so sick at home.
Again, I am so glad you and your partner were spared and we still have you within our grasps. So, here is a hug sent to you and a tear of gratitude you are safe. We can’t lose more of our community to statistics. Besides, we are possibly our only hope for a better world.
Name Withheld
Salt Lake City
Editor,
I’m so relieved to hear that you and your partner are physically fine. I know the mental aspect of your terrifying ordeal will take time to heal. Sharing your terrifying experience with others will really make a difference.
I too have had a bad experience with a friend that is into meth. At one point I really feared for my safety and have since completely severed all ties in order to protect my physical and mental well being. I have lost a good friend. Soulless is what he has become.
He is in my prayers, but not my life. I sometimes wonder what to do when he has his funeral—do I go to it and remember who he was? Or not? I have deep feelings of guilt for leaving him to this hell.
His choices have had terrible consequences. He has lost his health, job, friends, three homes, vehicles and his family is now a huge mess.
He started experimenting with meth and ecstasy for fun. Zero-to-addicted in no time flat!
He has taught me that just experimenting with that stuff is dangerous and I don’t plan on ever doing it. Maybe he was in my life to help me see what can happen, a cautionary tale, so to speak.
Name Withheld
Salt Lake City
Editor,
I recently had to cut someone out of my life because his meth use was making him crazy. It broke my heart because he was like a brother to me in many ways and we’d known each other a very long time. It still stabs at my heart. He’s making his choices and I’m making mine.
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s incredibly important that you share it.
Name Withheld
Washington, D.C.
Editor,
Wow! I really appreciate your column about your experience. I don’t use drugs nor know anyone who does, but I can honestly say I’ve thought about it. This story is horrifying and more than merits attention by the media. As a society we are thick and callused. We need repetition of those important messages! This story would have meant nearly nothing to me if it were a third person’s account or about a straight couple. But since you share my lifestyle, my ideals, and the same kinds of friends, it really rang home to me! It is my life too and other people’s choices do affect it. Thank you for helping me realize that!
Name Withheld
Murray.
Don’t Provide the Enemy Space in Our Publications
Editor,
Your articles on the Evergreen International conference [“Evergreen Holds 15th Conference,” “Mason: Sexuality Not a Choice,” Oct. 13, 2005] simply allowed the hateful group to spew their venom to the very people they prey upon. I could not believe you used precious newsprint space to pass on their lies and deceit. Weren’t there two other stories about the positive things Utah’s gay community did that news cycle?
Let the right wing promote their agenda in their own publications. Keep ours free of their malevolence.
Jonathan Fontaine
Midvale
Let Statement Stand
Editor,
I agree with your editorial about some members of the Salt Lake City Council wanting to “overshadow” [Mayor Rocky] Anderson’s executive order on health benefits for domestic partners [“Anderson on Tack. Council is Not,” Sept. 29].
The mayor’s action made a statement about how the city wants to treat its gay and lesbian employees.
The council members who want to extend benefits to anyone and everyone who lives with a person are making apologies where none need to be made.
Let Rocky’s statement stand. Leave the issue alone.
Elizabeth Rowley
Salt Lake City
QSaltLake welcomes letters from its readers. Please email letters@slmetro.com or mail your letter to: Editor, QSaltLake, 352 S. Denver St. Ste 350, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. We reserve to right to edit for length or libel. |
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