Exploring skid row

October 19, 2005

Steve Lopez's series on skid row (beginning Oct. 16) describes just the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of people who use drugs to treat their underlying mental illnesses roam the downtown streets. An Internet search on Google with keywords "drug abuse" and "mental illness" yields millions of results. One site, schizophrenia.com, provides very useful information. Al-Anon's website is another resource for families. It has kept me sane through 18 years of my son's homelessness due to schizophrenia and drug use. Thank you for the series.

LAURA F. MEYERS

Marina del Rey

Thanks for putting Lopez's skid row diary on the front page. You made this jaded Angeleno cry. Though the homeless situation is a disgrace, we should be thankful for angels like firefighter-paramedic Dave Chavez (Oct. 16), who makes a difference where others can't -- or won't.

CHRIS TAYLOR

Santa Monica

With his clear vision of our society today, the Lopez columns are now in exactly the right place: the front page of The Times. As a subscriber of 55 years, I commend the editors' good judgment.

RACHELLE LEONARD

Los Angeles

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