I'm backing Adam

Having lived around and socialised with people similar to "Helen", the junkie prostitute in the case that sparked off the debate between Peta Waters-Dewhurst and Adam Greenwood (16 January, page 28), I can say that we all want to help and put right tragedies and suffering. If I had been a tenant near Helen I probably would have rushed in to help, only to be told to mind my own business – or even punched. People must want to help themselves first, and there are those who are beyond the reach of help.

I don't feel Greenwood was insensitive in his judgment. The other tenants have a right to live alongside rational human beings and one has to consider the effects that Helen's behaviour was having on them.It must have been severe for a mother to move away. I certainly would not want my child put at risk by discarded syringes.

If an antisocial behaviour order was served, it would have brought Helen's problems to light. Qualified help would have been drawn on; Helen could have regained her self-esteem and hopefully recovered from her dependency.

However, one cannot be forced to seek help – sometimes, they are so intoxicated by their addiction that they cannot see that they need help – and it is only when the individual ends up in a hospital bed that the support organisations are kicked into action.

Waters-Dewhurst is misguided when she said organisations such as Shelter receive little publicity – after 23 years with a violent partner, I was well informed of the relevant help available to me. It was having the courage to take the step that was the problem. When I think back, I feel so sorry for my neighbours, who must have heard me screaming.

But despite all I have learned in life I am still a humanitarian at heart. I do hope Helen did find the referral she so obviously needed.