Helga Garger

Open letter to Tom Clairmont, President LRGHealthcare:

We, the undersigned, respectively petition for a reversal in your decision to move the Drug and Alcohol Awareness meeting out of the hospital proper to the Nathan Brody Chemical Dependency Program. The program currently is located in Union Square. Not only is this facility totally inadequate in size, it would be unavailable weekends, holidays and even snow days. For over 20 years the hospital awareness meeting has met seven days a week including all holidays. It has been invaluable not only as a community resource but as a support group for the inpatient population. Recovery that has resulted from participation in this meeting has saved lives, restored families and profoundly impacted our entire community.

I would also add that as a former staff member of the Nathan Brody Chemical Dependency Program, this awareness meeting has provided the support, fellowship and follow-up care vital to sustain recovery. I have personally been contacted by clergy, teachers, social workers, police officers and hospital staff confirming the crucial role this hospital meeting has provided to our community.

Please do not deny this help to the ever increasing numbers of our community suffering from addiction.

Helga Garger

Lakeport