WHOOPS

As Executive Director of the AIDS Project (TAP), I am writing to thank the Portland Phoenix for it’s obvious interest in the important issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. The Phoenix’s coverage of these issues is certainly appreciated. I am also writing to comment on some of the specifics in the article “No easy cure” (Feb. 23, p1).

I was surprised at the description of TAP as a seriously crippled organization. Although it is true that all AIDS service organizations face significant funding challenges, TAP is an efficient, fiscally sound agency that works toward fulfillment of its mission each day. Our Prevention/Education Department suffered a dramatic decrease in state funding and some prevention programs have been cut, but we are already having success at obtaining funds to maintain essential programs such as the Maine AIDS Hotline. Our other major programs are both healthy and have expanded in the past few years. For example, our case management team is serving more clients than ever and now has seven case managers as compared to five in 1997. Our housing program, HAVEN, which has nearly doubled in size since 1998, was awarded $1.3 million last year by HUD to expand its award winning programming statewide. Our budget, which was approximately $1.4 million last year, has decreased by less than $100,000 this year.

TAP faces challenges, but it is important that our clients, our supporters, other social service providers, and the public at large know that we are fiscally and programmatically sound and that we are here for the long-haul. I would be happy to discuss our agency with you at great length if you would like. I encourage any readers who have an interest in HIV/AIDS issues to call me.

Thanks for your efforts, look forward to talking with you in the future.

George W. Friou, MPH
Executive Director

ZERO TOLERANCE, ZERO SENSE

I am sending this to thank you for the article on zero tolerance. My daughter was recently a victim of this insane policy. Unlike Tracy Jannicelli’s family, I chose to go the passive route when it came to fighting for her right to go back to school, not anymore. Today I am calling the Civil Liberties Union. I want my daughter’s story to be told.

Back in November there was a freshman, of whom my daughter had no association with, in the cafeteria during lunch crushing pills and snorting them. He then proceeded to hand these pills out to various students who were milling around the area. None of these students asked him for these pills. My daughter happened to be one of them. Not knowing what they were she stuck them in her purse to dispose of them later. Fifteen minutes later, the vice principal of the school called her down to the office. On the way to the office he said to her, “we have reason to believe that you are in possession of drugs.”

She immediately said she did and handed the pills over to him. The other five students who received the pills were also called to the office. My daughter was the only one who admitted having them and voluntarily relinquished them. All the other students lied. It is my understanding that they ingested them. As a result of Shannon’s (my daughter) truthfulness and honesty she was expelled. I tried to get a lawyer but I could not afford one. I was her representative at her archaic trial. It was a joke and a mockery.

She has not attended school since then. They told her she could go through a lengthy process to get back into school: drug counseling, community service, and worst of all go before the same school board to get back in. I thought it was ironic that the only child who did not take these drugs would be subjected to drug counseling. She does not take pills! I know this for a fact. The other students who received the pills did not get in any trouble whatsoever and it was not pursued.

I have been homeschooling my daughter. Yesterday when I read the PPH article about homeschooling I was livid. There is currently a bill about to be passed that would give school districts state funding for each homeschooled student. The Lake Region School district did absolutely nothing to help me. In fact, when I went to the guidance department for advice they looked at me as if I had twenty heads and were rude to me.

Once again thank you for your article. It has prompted me to take action.

Kathy Gallant
Bridgton

AW, SHUCKS

Tracy and our whole family wish to thank you for a very well-written article. So many press articles have neglected the points of this zero tolerance situation and it was both refreshing and informative to read yours. The article has been passed throughout the university where I am employed and all that have read it are impressed with both your writing and your evident research into the subject.

Barbara Söderström
Casco

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