CONDOLENCES TO FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER

By Dennis Melby

Since I worked at the Carter White House toward the end of his term I saw Mrs. Carter a couple of times. She was an incredibly involved First Lady, as many have been. After his one-term Presidency was over she stayed involved with a number of important efforts, one of which was the mental health of American families. Later, when I served on the Board of Directors of Chestnut Lodge Psychiatric Hospital in Rockville she turned up as a supporter, helping us fundraise and draw attention to mental health - not only in Montgomery County but the nation as a whole. Through her books and advocacy she had a great and positive impact.

Mental Health is in a much more difficult place right not - and drug abuse is a key factor in that deterioration. Whether the drugs are legal or illegal, their overuse and abuse has caused an enormous rise in crime, homelessness and despair.

Mrs. Carter was a trailblazer. We all need to continue her work and do what we can to save people and their families from the effects of mental illness.

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Dennis Melby is Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Republican Party. He can be reached at [email protected]