Says county needs methadone clinic

LETTERS - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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I'm recovering heroin addict. I got clean, went to college and to worked at the detox for five years, managing it for three. There have been heroin addicts in Bellingham for years. Back in 1990 to 1995, when I worked at the detox, four out of our nine beds were heroin addicts.

Now the number of addicts is up. Just ask doctors at the emergency room. They lance, on average, 4-9 heroin abscesses per day. Many of these patients have no insurance or money to pay. This is money lost to the taxpayer. Ambulance calls for overdoses are up, too. More money lost. And thefts to feed habits, also money lost.

Seattle built a facility with 110 beds for alcoholics and addicts who can drink or use and live there. It has saved the city $40 million dollars yearly. Just think of the money the taxpayers could save if we did that here.