LETTERS, CARING FOR KIDS, Mental health laws NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition

• Published in: Newsday
• Main Author: Marcia Z. Feuer, Christopher Burley, Albert P. Claps, Catherine N. Dillon, Samuel B. Bacharach, Thomas R. Suozzi
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Long Island, N.Y Newsday LLC 19.04.2004
• Edition: Combined editions
• Subjects: Bush, George W; Clinton, Hillary

Kudos for "From grief rises Timothy's Law" [News, April 5], describing the O'Clair family whose son, Timothy, committed suicide at age 12, after years of struggle with mental illness. No family should ever have to give up custody of a child to the government in order to receive necessary mental health services because their insurance offers little or no mental health benefits. Although I thought your story was an accurate reflection of our findings regarding firefighters' drinking patterns, what worries me is the headline: "Survey: Alcohol not firehouse problem" [News, April 7]. This headline is indicative of our tendency to downplay the problem of alcohol abuse and dependence in this country. Clearly, our data reflect that the pattern of drinking among firefighters is consistent with the drinking patterns among other American workers. In this context, recent publicity targeting firefighters as if they are unusual is unfortunate. In addition to bringing awareness to Belmont, our fine arts program and the wonderful Nassau County Museum of Art, "Horses of a Different Color" supported our local artists, sponsors and downtowns. It is a delight to have these incredible displays of artwork in Nassau County, and it is an even better feeling to know that homegrown artists did the work.