Letters to the Editor

Last weekend we were privileged to attend the new “Nebraska Fire Fighters Museum & Education Center” opening. What a wonderful educational place it is! They have old fire trucks, equipment and many pictures of the fire fighters and fires back through the years. We highly recommend it for everyone to see. It is located at Kearney near the Archway. You can also get information on the web. www.nebraskafirefightersmuseum.org. It’s well worth your time and small fee to visit.

September is Substance Abuse Recovery month.

In recognition of Substance Abuse Recovery Month, I would like to take the opportunity to raise awareness about substance abuse symptoms and the possibilities for long term recovery from substance abuse and addiction.

Here are questions that may be used to evaluate your own or a loved one’s dependence on substances;

Do you ever use alcohol or drugs alone?

Have you ever manipulated or lied to a doctor to obtain prescription drugs?

Do you regularly use alcohol or drugs when you wake up or when you go to bed?

Do you avoid people or places that do not approve of you use?

Has your job or school performance ever suffered from the effects of your use?

Have you ever been arrested as a result of your use?

Have you ever lied about what or how much you use?

Do you put the purchase of alcohol or drugs ahead of your financial responsibilities?

Have you ever tried to unsuccessfully stop or control your using?

Have you ever been in a jail, hospital, or a rehabilitation center because of your using?

Does using interfere with your sleeping or eating?

Do you feel it is impossible for you to live without alcohol or drugs?

Is your use making life at home unhappy?

Have you ever thought you couldn’t fit in or have a good time without drugs?

Do you think a lot about alcohol or drugs?

Has using affected your relationships?

Have you ever used alcohol or drugs because of emotional pain or stress?

Do you continue to use despite negative consequences?

Recovery is a possibility. You do not have to continue living in pain. There are many pathways to long term recovery. Here are a few things to consider when looking into options in substance abuse treatment:

No single treatment is appropriate for all individuals.

Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug addiction.

Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical for treatment effectiveness.

Counseling and behavioral therapies are critical components of all effective treatments for addiction.

For certain types of disorders, medications are an important element of treatment, especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies.

Addicted persons with coexisting mental issues should have both disorders treated in an integrated way.

Medical management of withdrawal syndrome is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long-term drug use.

Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective.

Various types of programs offer help in alcohol and/or drug rehabilitation, including:

Residential treatment (in-patient), typically 28-90 days in a treatment facility.

Out-patient, attend treatment during your normal day.

Intensive out-patient

Local support groups, community based groups willing and able to help.

Holistic medicine approaches.

Recovery or sober living houses.

Newer rehab centers offer age and gender specific programs.

Long term recovery from substance abuse is a reality and there are a tremendous amount of resources available to those who want help or just want to know more:

Contact a local substance abuse agency or counselor, in the yellow pages under Alcoholism or Drug Abuse.

Contact local community based support groups which are typically in the newspaper or phone book.

Use the internet to search for the words “Substance Abuse Treatment.”

Go to the website, http://www.recoverymonth.org

When I was a kid, news on television was dominated by the Vietnam war. I became interested in it because of live combat scenes filmed by an Australian cameraman named Neil Davis. Other important events like the war protests, the civil rights protests and the race for space, filled the broadcasts.

Our military men and women are now dying in one and a half wars. Coverage of Iraq and Afghanistan takes a backseat to that of our jet-setting president. Recently the news was all about him having a couple guys over to his house for a beer. What’s up with that?

In a televised press conference, he responded to a question about the arrest of (black) professor Henry Gates. He admitted that he didn’t have the facts about the situation, but then said the Cambridge police (Sgt. James Crowley) acted stupidly. He went on to talk about racial profiling by police. How is responding to a call about a break-in construed as profiling? Judging past comments by professor Gates, I am inclined to believe that (he) was doing the racial profiling. Profiling by police helps them catch criminals.

The president’s comments were an insult to all police officers. Earlier in the press conference he also offended doctors by accusing them of performing unnecessary procedures to run up their bills. Rather than apologize, he tried to lecture (us) with a “teachable moment.” Sure, racism still exists. Slavery was a terrible thing. But, you know what? I had nothing to do with that. I lived across the street from our town’s only black family at the time. I delivered their newspaper. I participated in sports with their son. They were nice people and I liked them. I applaud the accomplishments of the young black girl on our track team who is frequently in the paper.

The president on the other hand is friends with revolutionary Weathermen group member William Ayers. The Weathermen targeted police stations with their bombings. Back in the Sixties, people like them were chanting “off the pigs.” For 20 years, the president was a member of a church with a “pastor” who expressed hatred for white people in his “sermons.” Who is it that needs a teachable moment?

The president positions himself as “the great unifier.” He thinks his “brewhaha” illustrated this. This is laughable. It was his comments that caused the uproar in the first place. What he did illustrate by intervening in a local police matter is his flawed decision making process. The same flawed process that has been damaging our country for the last six months. After the “beer summit,” professor Gates is still a racist, the president still agrees with him and Sgt. Crowley still believes he was just doing his job. I’ll let you decide who you think acted stupidly in the matter. I’ve already decided. The whole thing was just a two-week distraction from the liberal attack on our healthcare system (the obamanation of healthcare reform).

Many thanks to the local media for their coverage of the Dawson County Fair and in particular, the 4-H shows and events. The stories and great pictures document the 4-H’ers efforts in one of the most visible activities of their 4-H year. In all, nearly 2,700 separate entries were exhibited.

We also appreciate the Ag Society members and staff for their wonderful support. They, along with all the 4-H’ers, parents, superintendents, judges, ring men, emcees and fair goers make “County Fair” such a memorable experience.