From Deseret News archives:
Striving to save the wayward
But answers are hard to find. Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Salt Lake City, thinks one of them may be to pass a law that makes it a crime not to help someone in trouble. That may help in the days after such a crime when parents and others agonize over how to hold guilty parties accountable, but it isn't likely to make a teenager who is high on drugs act more responsibly. Teenagers seldom are experts on the law. Chances are they already are panicking because they fear the consequences of their actions.
A better solution is to try to educate people before such a crisis develops. Today, a group known as the Harm Reduction Project is sponsoring two free public forums at the University of Utah. One, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Saltair room of the A. Ray Olpin Union Building, is strictly for people under 21 no exceptions.
The other, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Dumke Auditorium of the Museum of Fine Arts Building, is for people 21 and older no exceptions.
Both discussions will be led by experts in the field, including law enforcement and religious leaders. Both promise frank discussions steeped in reality.
But to focus solely on the need to avoid drugs completely ignores the fact that a certain percentage of young people will, despite the best efforts of parents and others, experiment with harmful drugs. During 2005, 18-year-old Zachary Tyler Martinez died after his friends dumped him at a county hang-gliding park at Point of the Mountain rather than get him the help that could have saved his life. A few months later, a separate group of teens dumped 18-year-old Amelia Sorich in the foothills above Bountiful. She, too, died. Then in November, friends waited for hours before notifying police about 27-year-old Stephen James Sill, who had overdosed and was unresponsive.
True, the word "overdose" is misleading in these cases. There is no such thing as a proper dose of an illegal controlled substance. Any amount is too much.
But then, any person who dies needlessly because the people around him didn't do the right thing is a tragedy of unspeakable proportions.
Certainly, people who treat their friends so callously should be held accountable, as the proposed bill would do. But it's also proper for the community to come together and discuss the issue, as will happen at today's forums. We urge people to attend.
Comments
- Tuesday on TV 12:13 a.m.
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale 12:13 a.m.
- I'll take doc's advice on mammogram 12:12 a.m.
- Editorial: Winning fans' hearts 12:11 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:11 a.m.
- Letters: Barzee case like Jeffs' 12:11 a.m.
- Letters: Trump card for believers 12:11 a.m.
- Letters: Can't erase genetics 12:11 a.m.
- Letters: Rushing to judge Palin 12:11 a.m.
- Letters: MLS not BCS 12:11 a.m.
- Real Champions
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs
- Hall, Johnson matchup key
- Fans greet returning Real Salt Lake
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
212 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
195 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
132 - BYU records with win
132 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
130 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
109 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99
I hope Donny wins. His humility, courage and humor are very refreshing....
but it is Provo's Craig Drury polishing his 8 rings as head coach.
Like the newspaper said, "...the first time since '84 national...
I think Mya did not deserve the nine's from the 3 judges on her free dance -...
College football will NEVER revert to the old bowl system. It has gone too...
We don't need another layer of government, which obviously represents more...
And this surprises someone? It's too easy in Utah to deceive the masses....
We cannot afford this monstrosity! Any claims that it will save money are...
I grew up in SLC and have always been a huge BYU fan. Honestly I can say most...
These are not essential government programs needed to ensure our national...


You can be the first to comment on this story.