The Butler Eagle doesn't print unsigned or "John or Jane Doe" letters to the editor, but that doesn't keep such letters from arriving at the newspaper's newsroom via the Post Office, fax or e-mail.

Such letters are usually filed away or discarded. However, a "John Doe" letter received the other day merits reflection and comment in this forum, because it deals with a scourge deeply affecting this community. And, because the letter might have been written by someone who is crying out for help, it becomes the community's collective business.

But does the community have an answer to the message and plea that the letter contains? That is what is relevant at this juncture.

The letter:

"Unless you have been living under a rock for the past five years, (you know that) Butler has a major substance-abuse problem in the community. My question is why is there not a methadone clinic within 15 miles of the city limits?

"Cranberry has a clinic, but who can afford to drive half an hour to southern Butler County? A large percentage of substance abusers live in the city limits and either do not own a car, do not have a license, or just simply don't have the time to make the drive every day.

"I've got news for you, Butler, heroin is not going away anytime soon. I might not be the brightest person around, but wouldn't you think that crime and other drug-related problems would decrease drastically?

"One thing is for sure: There would be no shortage of clients for a clinic.

"This is not a solution by any means, but it just may be a kind of help the town needs.

"Someone in City Council has surely looked at this issue, or is no one willing to talk about this due to some political strategy?

"Is Butler just too damn conservative for its own good? I don't know and I'm willing to hear what the community has to say."

The question then is, with Butler's serious drug problem, why hasn't a methadone clinic been the subject of protracted, open discussion in government circles and other aspects of the community? The need for such a clinic hasn't been a topic at Butler City Council meetings or in other settings of public discussion.

Drug treatment is available at Butler Memorial Hospital and there are support services in the community. The Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center has a drug and alcohol program.

But beyond acknowledging the problem, Butler government and the city's residents haven't been notable in any concerted efforts to do something about the problem - except maybe to support drug busts or express wonderment about why there aren't more of them by the district attorney's drug task force.

As for the VA's drug and alcohol efforts, which are open only to veterans, there hasn't been widespread praise. In fact, what is noticeable and troubling is the occasional comment from someone who grumbles that the program is attracting "problem" people from other areas of Pennsylvania. Actually, regardless of where they are from, they are people who have alcohol- or drug-abuse problems and are trying to overcome them.

Essentially, they have cried out for help and have been heard. Whether the letter writer in question will be heard remains to be seen.

No doubt the presence of a methadone clinic here would evoke negative comments like those directed toward the VA's program, despite the value it would have in the treatment of heroin addiction - which would translate into the saving of lives.

If it takes a "John Doe" to awake the community's consciousness about the need to consider such a facility, so be it.

Butler's serious drug problem - a big part of which involves heroin - is beyond the parameters of discussion in hushed tones or behind closed doors. The community's response should be much more than merely waiting for, and hoping for, the next big drug bust.

The drug problem has reached its current scope because it was allowed to happen. Now the community must muster all available resources to gain the upper hand over this scourge.

If a methadone clinic is part of what is needed, so be it.

However, that can't be determined unless the community starts talking about it, in the open.

- J.R.K.