Advocacy Project: Letter to a Public Official

December 7, 2009
Senator Amy Klobuchar
United States Senate
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-2304

Senator Amy Klobuchar,

     Hello, my name is Pamela Schmitt, I currently reside in Duluth, MN and attend the University of Minnesota Duluth.  I am writing this letter in regards to a bill that was introduced last January.  H.R.439 is bill to amend the current Public Health Service Act.  Mainly in regards to pregnant and parenting woman who are dealing with substance abuse.  The goal of the amendment being to reduce substance abuse among these types of individuals.

      This bill would provide more funding and improve the system in which we care for and treat non violent drug abusers.  Mothers and pregnant women need a different kind of professional attention then others and providing this would create a higher success rate in recovery.  Not to mention a reduction in miscarriage, birth defects, depression, STD's, and negative effects on the children's life.  Over 9 million women use illegal drugs every year in the U.S. (NIDA, 2006) and by doing so they increase their chances of having unprotected sex, and conceiving under the influence.

      I believe the implementation of this policy will allow for a positive change in many American lives. This policy will provide appropriate actions to protect the health of women and their children. 
 Not to mention lower the use of illegal drugs and all of its pollution is causes in the lives of its abusers.  Minnesota is not immune to any of these problems and I would hope that you think about that if you do ever get to vote on this bill.  From all the implants we get and even 10th generation Minnesotan's, we are having problems with these problems,  Meth, Crack/Cocaine, and prescription medications are all destroying communities and homes in our great state.  

     So as one of the citizens who voted for you I would like to stress it one final time how important a bill like this is to society.  All of the people that voted for you entrust that you will do what is right to protect and improve society.  Please vote YES on H.R.439.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Pamela Schmitt
(contact information)