Editor: It has been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. As municipalities are working to address the increasing homeless problem, I hope our mayor does not get discouraged for having to make a tough call when there is not an easy fix for a complex problem.
Drug addiction and homelessness are not new, only becoming more visible. I think everyone can agree that something needs to be done. So let’s work together without finger pointing to try and get at the root of the problem by asking a couple of pertinent questions.
Why do physically healthy people turn to drugs for a fleeting “feel-good” moment at the risk of their lives?
Why do able-bodied people choose loitering and littering as a way of life?
The cost of living may be a contributing factor these days, but the root of the problem predates inflation. The generosity and compassion of communities to help those in need is commendable, and charity is a welcome interim solution for the body, but when the human spirit is in need, we must look deeper for an answer.
There are no easy answers when the reality of families in crises is at the root of the problem. Without a doubt, these fellow human beings are somebody’s loved ones “lost at sea.”
In an ever-increasingly complex world, it is more important than ever that we hold fast to the lifeline of common sense that holds true for every generation.
There are the basics of love, kindness, sympathetic discipline and humane justice. To omit discipline and justice from the equation is as detrimental to peace and progress as to omit love and kindness.
Common sense is about balance and moderation.
This Christmas, I pray for strength and courage for those in governing circles, both secular and religious, who bear the responsibility of wisdom in leadership.
May God bless us all in 2025 with grace-filled objectivity to ask the right questions in order to get the right answers.
Catherin Wathy
Chatham
P.S. Thank you and Merry Christmas to the staff at The Chatham Voice for a community newspaper where citizens can dare to speak under respectful guidelines.