Denial of deceased singer’s drug habit is...

Denial of deceased singer’s drug habit is wrong

In rehab jargon, an enabler is anyone in the life of an addict who

says or does anything that makes it less likely the user will not

have to experience the natural consequences of their behavior.

The spouse of the man who spends the weekend on an alcohol and

drug binge, who then calls his work on Monday morning to make an

excuse for him, is the typical example.

“My husband can’t come to work today cause he has the flu,” she’ll

say.

Singer Bobby Hatfield has already experienced the ultimate

consequence from his usage of cocaine -- death. Even when the habit

is fatal, along come folks such as Michael Arnold Glueck to minimize

the incident.

The coroners report was quite clear, Hatfield died of acute

cocaine toxicity. What’s confusing about that? From this, Glueck, who

is a doctor, states in his letter to the Pilot that drugs “may” have

played a part in his death. Then he goes on to refer to a “relatively

small amount of drug” that was involved. Where did he get that from

the news story? Then, unbelievably, he tells us that the lab reports

and coroner could be wrong. What kind of message is that?

Millions of people a day rely on doctor’s diagnosis based on lab

reports, and trust the treatment plan outlined by their physicians.

What is this man talking about? Rehab professionals have long

anguished over the turmoil created by doctors, who contribute more to

the problem of alcohol and drug abuse, rather than the solution.

I too enjoyed Hatfield’s music: What in the world has that got to

do with whether he was a drug addict? Family and friends, who now

pretend they didn’t know Hatfield was a cocaine user, were, in all

likelihood, his enablers -- back when he could have been saved.

GARY DRIES

Costa Mesa

Resorting to revenue-building projects

On Saturday I read in your paper that the state “Budget calls for

deep cuts;” meaning there will be less money coming into the city of

Newport from the state.

Now, I don’t really have any position about this Marinapark thing

but it seems to me that if the Marinapark resort will replace the $2

or $3 million we will lose from the state each year, I’m going to

take a position to support the plan.

It is an old area down there that needs to be rebuilt anyway.

Might as well build something that will help keep the city’s bills

paid.

BOB RIGGINS

Newport Beach