24-04-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Letters: Why adding ‘abstinence' to S.F. drug recovery policy can do more harm than good
Regarding 'S.F. drug crisis: Battle brews over adding one sentence to city's recovery policy' (Bay Area, April 19): San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey says that recovery from addiction entails 'abstinence from illicit drugs.'
While this definition is one way to view recovery, it is not the only one. Recovery from addiction is not as simple as Dorsey makes it seem. In fact, framing it in this way can be harmful to people whose journeys of recovery are more complex than total abstinence from illicit drugs.
As a public health student, one of the most important takeaways of my education is a deeper understanding of the circumstances that lead people to unhealthy situations and lifestyles. Dorsey's definition puts the road to recovery in a box by failing to consider the individual circumstances that might affect a person experiencing a drug addiction.
I oppose Dorsey's proposal to amend San Francisco's recovery policy. I urge the Board of Supervisors' Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee, which will hear this proposal on Thursday, to also oppose it.
Alyanna Asuncion, Berkeley
Reform could fund schools
Regarding 'Beloved East Bay performing arts school to close, leaving students without a stage' (Arts & Entertainment, April 21): The impending closure of the Contra Costa School of Performing Arts is yet another tragic reminder that charter schools are not an effective solution to the issues found in traditional public schools.
Schools must be places where students feel a sense of stability. This is essentially impossible at most charter schools because more than 25% of them close before the five-year mark. Contra Costa School of Performing Arts will close after just nine years.
Instead of taking this neoliberal approach to education, we should invest in truly public schools that support students' passions.
Many traditional public schools in California have vibrant theater and arts programs. The key is funding the school well, which is challenging given the financial strangulation placed on our public education by Proposition 13.
If we reform Prop. 13 and make corporations pay their fair share in property taxes, we could restore billions annually to our public schools and communities.
All students deserve the chance to attend supportive and well-resourced schools, and the best way to do that is by taxing corporations.
Olivia McHaney, San Francisco
Ban glue traps
Regarding 'San Francisco could ban popular type of mousetrap' (San Francisco, April 21): San Francisco should follow in the footsteps of West Hollywood and Ojai (Ventura County) and ban cruel glue traps.
These torturous devices entrap animals in powerful adhesives and tear them apart as they struggle to escape. Victims often suffer for days before succumbing to starvation, dehydration or blood loss.
The traps are also indiscriminate and endanger birds, butterflies, lizards, squirrels and many other wildlife species, along with companion animals and small children.
Glue traps have no place in a civilized society, particularly when far more humane methods are readily available.
Hailey Hanson, San Francisco
Running on empty
You people who think everyone should get out of their cars and walk 50 or 60 miles to work everyday, who think there is no need for fuel to bring supplies to the Bay Area, who think it is fine if Sacramento politicians mandate fuels that no one else on Earth makes and forces it on the public no matter the cost.
Well, your time has come. When this refinery shuts down, and no one else is stupid enough to bring it back to life, you will have to explain to the voters why gasoline in California costs $9 per gallon.
Maybe then (but probably not) the people of California will wake up and get rid of the feckless politicians ruining what was once a great state. No wonder everyone who can leave is doing so.
John Madden, Tiburon
