Horror at drugstore killings

Regarding "Indictment in slayings" [News, June 28], I am feeling a little lost, as I am certain many others are, too. When I see the pictures being shown of all of the people involved in this pharmacy tragedy, I cannot help but feel heartbroken.

When I see Jennifer Mejia, I think of my nieces who are her age and, by coincidence, who knew her. When I see Bryon Sheffield, I can't help but think of my Dad, who is the same age and looks just like him.

When I see Raymond Ferguson, I think of myself -- just a hard working small business owner. When I see Jaime Taccetta, I think of the many years I got to enjoy her smiling face along with her mom, Pat. Even though it has been years since I've seen them, it still hurts.

Worst of all, when I see the accused shooter, David Laffer, and I hear the stories from his neighbors of how "nice" and polite he was, I am sadly reminded that we never know what kind of person could be smiling and waving at us, in our neighborhood, sitting at a traffic light next to us, or standing behind us at the store.

When I see a local police officer, I will smile. I can't imagine the horrible scene some of them had to endure and the images they will have etched in their minds forever, and I thank God for their dedication and tireless efforts.

I feel a little safer that these arrests have been made, but I will be sad for some time. This could have been any one of us, and I will have a hard time seeing the world the same way again.

Kurt Von Bartheld, Holtsville

With all the problems associated with taking pain medication, isn't it baffling that they are still widely prescribed as a first line of treatment for pain? There are many safe, effective and cost-effective alternatives. There is no reason why procedures such as chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, massage therapy, and physical therapy should not be a physician's first choice for referral for pain rather then prescription drugs.

Most of these drugs only mask symptoms. Chiropractors also motivate their patients to be responsible for their own well-being though exercise, weight management, proper body mechanics, nutrition and positive mental attitude.

The federal government announced in April that prescription drug abuse has reached crisis level. Sometimes it takes a crisis for real change to occur. It is time for a real change!

We urge health care providers, whenever possible, to recommend drug-free, conservative care interventions for their patients before prescribing medications that may be associated with harmful side effects. It's critical that patients know their options.

Walter Priestley, Farmingdale

Editor's note: The writer is the president of the Nassau District of the New York State Chiropractic Association.

John Donne wrote, "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

The death bell tolled on Long Island for four innocent victims who could have been any one of us: A beautiful 17-year-old girl about to go to her prom and high school graduation. A 45-year-old pharmacist with a winning smile coming up on his 10th wedding anniversary. A 33-year-old single mom about to remarry and start a new life with her two daughters and soon-to-be new husband. A 71-year-old man anxious to get back to his wife after her heart surgery. Four beautiful and full lives. Four beautiful souls.

Long Islanders' grief is palpable; rising up in a giant wave of pain and heartache crashing down on our sorrowful shores. We cry for the victims and their friends and families. Our hearts are heavy.

In honor of the four victims, let us never forget to treasure every day that we have. Kiss and hug your spouses, sons and daughters. Be there for your family and friends. Don't wait to go after your dreams. Bask in the sunlight of a world where most people do have goodness in their hearts.

Patricia Schaefer, South Setauket

Why did Newsday feel that it was newsworthy to include the religions of both the suspected killer and his wife in the article "Portrait of a suspect?" [News, June 23]. Does Newsday imply that the interfaith marriage was responsible for this heinous crime? Or, perhaps, Christianity or Judaism?

Religion played no part in this crime. Don't identify criminals by their religious background.

Ellen Kramer, Merrick

The tragedy in Medford brings to light a problem that affects many people and is more widespread than most realize: society's dependency on prescription narcotics.

In October, after weeks of suffering from an unrelenting and unusual headache, I went to a local emergency room, on my doctor's advice. I was asked a lot of questions by hospital personnel, but none about my current drug habits or whether I was a recovering addict. Before being handed a narcotic, as if being offered candy, I was only asked if I had any drug allergies.

Not only did the on-call physician order this narcotic for me, a patient he really knew nothing about, but I left there with a full 30-day supply of Vicodin. I remain baffled that a hospital dispensed -- with no hesitation -- a prescription for a drug that not only has a very high street value, but called for a quantity that would have been more than enough to cause many people to become physically dependent.

I am a middle school health teacher fighting an uphill battle with drug education if the medical industry doesn't take responsibility for curbing the runaway dispensing of pain medication. Likewise, patients need to be willing to investigate other solutions for pain management besides the quick and potentially deadly fix of narcotic drugs.

Luana Mango Dunn, Medford

Joye Brown wrote about the curse of oxycodone but there was a word missing from the article: Treatment ["The oxycodone curse," News, June 23]. There is nothing to say to heal the hearts of the loved ones taken by this murderer, and I will never condone what he allegedly did.

I wrote a letter to Newsday back in 2008 about the heroin epidemic on Long Island ["Heroin help," Letters, Dec. 13, 2008]. I said that people were dying, and it appeared that nothing was being done to stop the tsunami of painkillers and heroin sold and used on Long Island.

There is no excuse for the murders that took innocent people. There is also no excuse for the lack of help available to those who need it.

Addiction separates families, takes jobs and also lives, and not just by overdose. The face of this killer was just like your next-door neighbor. Look around, and you might wonder what is going on in your neighbor's home.

Any other disease, and the money and treatment is available. Not so with addiction. Unfortunately, not until people are personally affected do they want to help.

Richard Koffler, Westbury

Editor's note: The writer is a social worker.