Thank you Leather Band. It was lack of forethought on my part. I can see, upon re-reading my original post, how easily it could be misunderstood. I hope you don't stop commenting. Your views are just as worthy of being heard as anyone elses. It would be good to have someone on here who comes from the same place as me, even if we hare polar opposites. :) That's the first time I've ever used one of those little smiley faces- Take care.

Celeste. I know other posters on this site are not interested in reading a conversation between two people so I will make this my last post to this and any other article in the news. I should have known better. For the most part of two years I read comments here and didn't sign up for an account to respond until a couple months ago. Day after day I would read comments calling people in this area backward uneducated idiots, Repugs, right wing nuts, hypocrits, etc. They made fun of God and most things I count as decent everyday living. From my point of view our country was making a fast move into trouble. I think Obama and his administration and the Democratic controlled congress are bad for America. I do agree that all citizens have a right to health care but I don't think they have a right for us to pay the coverage cost. I don't think we owe every citizen a living. I will not change my mind and I cannot change yours or anyone elses. Second, I was not trying to discredit you. The politically correct language I should have used instead of ignorance was "not familiar with or unaware of" the situation in Southwest Va. I do live here and I didn't think you did. I know a great number of the people. We do have a drug problem like everyone else. A big Part of that is funded by medicaid. For one dollar the medicaid patient can get a prescription and sell it for $4-$12 per pill on the street. (Based on pill dosage). Yes, I and most other people here know that. As you say you haven't passed this way in twenty years. Your assessment of people here upset me very much, but I apologize for insulting you.

I am from Southwest Virginia, Pennington Gap. I managed to escape. Some of my family weren't so lucky and I have lost a few members to just this type of scenario. I have been to the funerals of many young people, right there in Pennington. I have seen it and lived it first hand. The high school I went to was full of kids in just the type of situation I described. So, I suppose it would've been better to preface my statement with, "Based on my personal experience rather than statistical data..." and then included the politically correct disclaimer, "There are exceptions to the rule however, and to avoid stereotyping, of course I won't speak for the entire region, etc...." That better?
Leather Band, I think you're just looking for some reason to discredit me because of our last conversation. Go ahead and think I'm ignorant if it makes you feel better about yourself. By the way, I would never attack you for your spelling or a typo, just so you know.
Glen, Ms. Henderson, I meant no offense to you as current residents. I didn't mean it as an insult, but more of an explanation I suppose. I haven't been back that way in going on 20 years, but I've kept in contact with a relative or two.
I do worry still for those that are there. I just read that Lee Hospital has connected with HVMC and Cardiovascular Associates to expand treatment options there. I also read that the Kinsport City manager wanted to extend the highway more out that way to increase commerce to SW VA (he has opposition to this, though), and I was very happy to hear about both of those opportunities for my hometown area. I am rooting for SW VA.

"I am familiar with Southwest VA. You go there, and you could easily find 20 more teens just like them. There is no industry there, the main source of income is welfare, the people are isolated, drug addiction is frighteningly commonplace.
The cycle is this: Parent addicted to drugs, sells drugs, neglects and/or abuses children, those children turn into their parents. Repeat.
These are some of the poorest people in the United States, and these children are what poverty produces." Celest? my question to you is this if you have all this knowledge about us in swva what are you doing or what have you done lately to try to reach out to the young people and help them? have you ever thought about sweeping your own house before you try to sweep someone else's . They say ignorance is blissful if that is the case then you must be a blissful person.

Leather Band....I totally agree with you. Celeste needs to brush up on her statistics, and actually be "more than familiar" with SW Virginia. I have lived here 57 years and I am not seeing "what she is familiar with." I have lived in both Pittsburg and Kansas City. Drug use and poverty exists all over. She needs to know what she is talking about before she sticks her size 11 in her mouth. Sadly, ignorance is widespread as well and she just reinforced that concept.

I guess I am ignorant. I mispelled United

WOW!!!!!!! What a blanket indictment!!! Where do you live? In Hollywood? Poorest people in the Unoted States? If I had any doubt about your ignorance before I sure don't now.

I am familiar with Southwest VA. You go there, and you could easily find 20 more teens just like them. There is no industry there, the main source of income is welfare, the people are isolated, drug addiction is frighteningly commonplace.
The cycle is this: Parent addicted to drugs, sells drugs, neglects and/or abuses children, those children turn into their parents. Repeat.
These are some of the poorest people in the United States, and these children are what poverty produces.

You have got to be kidding me!!

I sure hope wherever these end up..Bubba and his TRIO buds are awaiting their arrival!