Crack Children

The Times featured an article about children exposed prenatally to crack cocaine and other drugs who are entering public schools and the resulting human and monetary toll (“Crack’s Children Grow Up,” Column One, Aug. 24).

Working in special education, I have been directly involved with these children and I have witnessed their problems firsthand.

For a long time this spending ratio has been virtually ignored: For every $1 spent for social services, $6 are saved.

Unfortunately, due to fiscal shortsightedness, taxpayers will be spending billions of dollars for special education, medical care, unemployment, underemployment and even court proceedings and incarceration in the future.

Let all those people who wish to eliminate planned parenthood and cut government services take heed. If you are short on morals, ethics and charity, perhaps the impact of this tragic situation will reach your pocketbook.

DIANE MAUTNER

Woodland Hills