The N.C. Senate’s budget proposes closure of the three state Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Centers (ADATCs): Walter B. Jones Center in Greenville, R.J. Blackley Center in Butner and the Julian Keith Center in Black Mountain, with a reckless mandate to cease admissions by June 30. I joined the Jones Center 18 years ago and have seen the original 28-day residential program evolve into a concentrated, two-week inpatient program providing advanced multidisciplinary care for patients from 38 counties in eastern North Carolina.
Matching a patient’s addiction severity to the appropriate level of care is both cost-effective and therapeutically effective — and how the current system functions. Patients with addictions complicated by significant psychiatric and medical problems, homelessness, legal issues, unemployment, and lack of health insurance need intensive multidisciplinary care, especially in crisis situations where they intend harm to themselves or others. ADATCs provide this level of care.
For decades, the state has responsibly faced the problem of severe drug addiction through its ADATCs. Now, suddenly, and without planning, the Senate budget shirks this responsibility. Encourage your N.C. House members (www.ncleg.net) to rethink this ill-conceived proposal — for the benefit of those in need, their families, and the integrity of North Carolina.
— John F. Holter, M.D.

Greenville

Many thanks to the maintenance crews of the Department of Transportation for the roadside cleanup work they do.
To the person/persons who have no respect for the property of others and have dumped animal carcasses, deer remains and about a dozen very large catfish remains on the side of our road, you should be responsible for cleaning up this mess. Perhaps you would think before doing this again.
My neighbors and I mow the side or our road and keep it clean and neat. We do not appreciate someone else dumping this type of garbage in our neighborhood.
— Louise Pathel

Kannapolis