Letters ot the Editor
Thanks for priests
I would like to thank the following priests for their generosity in serving us on the last Koinonia of Anchorage the weekend of Sept. 25-27: Fr. Vince Kelber, OP, Father Vince Beuzer, SJ, Father Steve Moore, Father Ben Torreto and Father Vince Blanco. God bless you!
— Sister Lorene Griffin, OSU, Anchorage
Aid for pregnant addicts
I applaud Susan Bomalaski's recent editorial in the Catholic Anchor (“Respecting life means empowering parents,” Oct. 2). I whole heartedly agree that if we are truly respectful of life, we must create an environment where it is easy for women to make the choice to continue their pregnancy.
As you can imagine, I was horrified to discover that the Narcotic Drug Treatment Center in Anchorage (a methadone clinic) can no longer accept new patients, including pregnant woman. Heroin is, unfortunately, a growing problem in Anchorage. It is imperative that we address this issue. It is unacceptable to deny pregnant women the choice to have a healthy baby. This is worse than abortion. Our state must certainly have enough money to fund treatment for women and their unborn children.
It is fiscally conservative to ensure that children are born healthy. The costs of raising a child born to a woman with a heroin addiction are quite expensive. It is also morally unacceptable for a community to deny health care for a woman to deliver a healthy baby. Treatment works.
As Catholics living in Anchorage, I challenge you to write your state representatives and ask for increased funding for the Anchorage Methadone clinic.
—Marti Pausback, Anchorage
Editor’s note: According to an Oct. 2 report by the Associated Press, the only methadone clinic in Anchorage has stopped accepting new patients. The Narcotic Drug Treatment Center has 87 patients but is only funded for 75. Twelve people are on a waiting list. The center gives patients liquid methadone to ease withdrawal symptoms associated with the discontinuation of heroin usage. It is one of two methadone programs in the state. The other is in Fairbanks. There are an estimated 16,000 opiate addicts in Alaska.
Updated policy on Letters to the Editor
The Catholic Anchor welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be limited to 300 words and include the writer’s full name and city of residence. For verification purposes only, we also need contact information for each letter writer, which will not be published. Letters should not disparage the character of any individual but rather stick to the issues at hand and refer to articles, letters and opinion pieces that have been published in the Catholic Anchor. Letters may not endorse a specific political candidate or political party. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. The Anchor does not publish letters that directly challenge clear and established church teaching.