Nov 5, 2015 2 min read

In response to the Thursday letter by George Prevuznik, “Say no to use of Narcan,” I say, yes, addicts are really worth “wasting” our grocery and prescription money on.

Addiction is rampant. It is also a disease. Does Prevuznik object to AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) that are found in many public venues for the quick resuscitation of someone who collapses from sudden cardiac arrest? My guess is that he is fine with that. However, it is quite likely that a cardiac event is at least in part related to issues like alcohol consumption, smoking, a poor diet or a sedentary lifestyle.

Life is precious. We shouldn’t play God. All human life has value. Find someone who has recovered from heroin addiction and talk to them. See what they have done with their life since addiction. Not everyone is a success story, but everyone deserves a chance at life. Everyone has value.

Please don’t stand in judgment. That’s easy to do. Put forth the effort to put yourself in another’s shoes and kindly consider seeing all things from a viewpoint other than your own.

Dana L. Stainbrook

Washington