With the HIV outbreak freshly on our minds, the statistics, costs and demonstrable failures are mounting up … sadly, along with the number of lives that are being forever affected.

So people who demonstrate no independence in core competencies/components of living, and who are receiving tax or non-tax-funded food, shelter, healthcare/medicine, etc., have no accountability for their actions that continue to cement negative consequences throughout the state?

Please tally up the costs for the HIV care thus far, related to the current outbreak, and predicted expenditures — what is cost of that? Addiction places a harmful need above all others. Maine must address its drug problem now. That requires accountability for all involved, most specifically the addicted:

• People who are on transplant lists must complete smoking cessation to be considered. 
• People who are transmitting HIV must complete and comply with a rehab program to be eligible for their care.

Our response to addiction has been one huge fallacy in logic. So, it is no wonder that it has been one big failure.

The process of healing is never successful unless the person who needs it most wants to save their own life. 

Patricia Lotz
Fairfield