Letters to the editor: Issue of Feb. 7, 2013
Government should take action
I would never have thought that day would come where a headline about a mass shooting every couple of months would become a customary thing in America, the land of the free.
How are we supposed to live freely when students can’t even feel safe in school and parents can’t even feel safe sending them? Should we really have to worry if some lunatic is going to lose it and end up killing a loved one?
The government should be taking action. This is not acceptable. Why does this keep happening?
Yes, there are deranged individuals in this world, but that doesn’t mean nothing can be done to prevent these actions.
Marjorie Pastor,
Poway
Get shots at pharmacy
The flu epidemic has spread rapidly throughout the nation but one of the best ways to protect yourself from this epidemic is the flu shot. Rather than waiting for an appointment at your doctor’s office, you can head straight on over to your local drug store where a trained pharmacist can administer the vaccine.
Pharmacists are greatly underutilized in today’s health care system given that they do everything from managing chronic disease to providing preventive care like vaccinations. Pharmacies are popping up on virtually every corner of America, making pharmacists the most accessible health professional.
The CDC recommends that everyone above 6 months receive the flu shot. The next time you are out shopping, drop by your local pharmacy if you have any questions about your medications or are interested in a quick flu vaccination.
Vy Nguyen,
UCSF pharmacy student
(Originally from 4S Ranch)
Keep guns away from the ‘brainsick’
After endless reports of shootings wouldn’t you think that this is the time to put an end to it?
Regardless of the gun control restrictions and laws there are so many unstable people out there who can obtain dangerous weapons. There may be bans on assault weapons, but that’s not going to stop a mentally unstable lunatic from finding a way to obtain what they want. Isn’t everyone sick of hearing endless announcements of innocent children, teenagers, and adults being killed by shootings?
We need to find a way to impede on brainsick people from being able to access guns and other dangerous weapons, instead of running away from it like every other problem that America and the world faces.
Ferlyn Bobis,
San Diego
Be straight up about drugs
It’s obvious there is a high likelihood that your child will be exposed to an environment that includes drugs and alcohol. Most teens expect too just try the drug once or twice and never expect to have an addiction problem, and they believe they will always be able to control their thoughts and needs. The number of teenagers who are enrolled in treatment is on a steady incline as the years pass.
In communities living in luxury, such as Rancho Bernardo, Poway, and 4S Ranch there has been an increase in the use of heroin as the teens have the money to spend on expensive drugs. It goes from smoking pot occasionally and having a beer to smoking heroin and snorting cocaine.
The problem is kids getting involved younger and younger. We can’t hide our children from the real world and be scared to have them exposed to these harmful substances. We need to be straight up about them and hide nothing from them so they know earlier on in life.
Grant Muenchow,
San Diego