Thank you for the April 13-14 story, “Bangor’s Drug Court.” There were so many great points about this program, however, there were a few that really stood out.

This program appears to have “all the right stuff,” especially Justice Andrew Mead. I’ve observed him in court while I served on jury duty. Honor, respect, compassion, no nonsense, topped with a wonderful sense of humor – what a wonderful man and perfect person to have in this position.

“The elephant in the middle of the room that nobody admits is there” deal. We all must admit there is a huge problem including all socioeconomic backgrounds. Finally, the most important part of this article was the suggestion that we are finally “getting it” – drug addiction has to be attacked from all sides. To believe all addicts are “bad” people, that addicts need to be “punished” for their addiction and similar mentalities is to be judgmental, self-righteous and narrow-minded. It’s time that we as a community stop hating the people and focus on hating the addiction for which they are enslaved to. Not that the addict has no responsibility, just that we need to show compassion.

There are still too many people who choose to take the easy way out and automatically label people as throwaways or scum because they are too afraid to admit it could happen to someone in their family, or even themselves. I applaud all who are a part of this.

Tracey Field

Hampden