Sep 19, 2015 2 min read

In response to Erich Curnow’s commentary, “Addiction is a disease, not a choice,” which appeared in the Observer-Reporter on Monday, I agree with his heartfelt and sincere comments. What I find puzzling, and probably a great many others also do, is the word choice.

People who end up addicted to drugs via prescribed medications are not making a choice. In those cases, shame on the prescriber. However, how is it not a choice to partake of that first use of a recreational drug? How is it not a choice to say no? How is it not a choice to say, “I don’t want to destroy my future, break my family’s heart, and distance myself from friends and colleagues”? It takes fortitude and morality and a sense of self-worth to not use a drug, and that appears to be the discrepancy between the words choice and disease.

Of course, it is an addiction after the user is hooked and the lying, stealing and being an unproductive citizen becomes normal.

Curnow is conducting a wonderful service and I wish him well. I hope he is 100 percent successful in his endeavors.

Judith Schury

Brownsville