Ms. Ladwig’s article (Breaking the cycle, July 27) makes two serious omissions that are in need of correction or addition.

The article indicates drug and alcohol usage in this area was measured by surveys of 6, 8, 10, 12 grade students, which indicates the survey ignored those same-aged students who have quit or were suspended from school. This sampling error understates the reported consumption rate among the age groups by omitting those students who probably have an even higher rate of consumption than the in-school students.

In the list of resources, the article lists the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank, but omits Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous as resources, a serious omission. The food bank expertly dispenses food and encouragement, not advice on alcohol and drug abuse, or that is what I have seen each Wednesday for the last four years.

The omission of AA and NA ignores two of the most widely used and successful sources of help for young people and perpetuates the myth that those organizations are appropriate only for adults.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Really smart young people use these two programs everyday to rebuild their lives. Many not-as smart adults wait until they have really harmed themselves and others before they do use AA and NA.

David Shea

North Bend

• Editor’s note: You can learn more about Alcoholics Anonymous at www.aa.org and Narcotics Anonymous at na.org. AA’s Eastside Intergroup, with information on meetings and contacts for people living on the Eastside, can be reached at (425) 454-9192. Or, visit Seattle AA’s website, www.seattleaa.org. To contact Alanon, which helps people who live with alcoholics and need help, call (206) 625-0000.