SUICIDE

I commend Tom McNichol for his informative article, “Choosing Death,” (Oct. 13). However, he states that the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center was absorbed by the county’s Family Service agency. This is incorrect. The center ceased to exist as a separate agency in 1988 when it became a program of Family Service of Los Angeles, a private, nonprofit agency that has a diversified funding base. Some of its programs, such as the Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines, receive county support, but Family Service of Los Angeles relies heavily on private contributions, United Way and supplemental fund-raising to support this and other services.

ANTHONY A. LUFRANO

PRESIDENT/CEO

FAMILY SERVICE OF LOS ANGELES