THE NEED FOR SCHOOL NURSES

In response to our story about the impact of recent school-nurse layoffs [A Million Stories, "Cries for Help," Samantha Melamed, March 29, 2012], registered nurse Pat Imms emailed this letter: "Thank you for your coverage of the school-nurse layoffs and the repercussions to our schoolchildren in Philadelphia. District spokesperson Fernando Gallard mentions that plans are in place for 'medically fragile' children. What is left unspoken is the number of students who aren't necessarily medically fragile, but who do have chronic medical conditions that need the oversight of professional nurses specifically trained to work in schools. Hopefully, as word gets out about the ... often misunderstood role of the school nurse, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission will revisit the decision to save money at the expense of vulnerable children."

RECOVERY TIMES

We recently wrote about how Gov. Corbett's budget, if enacted, could push thousands of drug addicts onto Philly streets because they'll lose state General Assistance funds that pay for stays in recovery houses [News, "Living on the Edge," Daniel Denvir, March 29, 2012]. The story caused several commenters on citypaper.net to weigh in.

Rcatando offered this: "Here's an idea: Stop doing drugs. The same losers who want more lenient drug laws also want the taxpayer to pay for their rehab when they get hooked. No one puts a gun to someone's head and forces them to do drugs. So if they get addicted, fuck 'em. They don't deserve sympathy. You get one life. If you choose to waste it on drugs, that's your problem. We've become a society of pussies, so scared to criticize behavior that's wrong or making excuses for those who do."

In response, rsgdmd wrote: "While I don't fully disagree, without rehab, there will be people with a gun to your head, wanting money or jewelry to feed their habit."

Also in response to Rcatando, Dartvader added: "You know, I would be OK with your absolutism if addicts roaming the streets had no impact on the rest of us, but that's not how it works. People make bad decisions and society has to do something about them. Jail costs money. ER visits from overdoses cost money. Rounding up addicts and gassing them is and will remain illegal. So, best to live in the real world and take advantage of an option provided by the private sector and made possible by an incredibly tiny outlay of money."

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