What Charlotte must improve to honor Iryna Zarutska | Opinion

The fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte train was not just a tragedy. It was a systemic failure. The accused, with a long history of offenses and untreated mental illness, had cycled through our justice system without meaningful intervention.

As a correctional behavioral health professional, I’ve seen how fragmented care, underfunded services and poor coordination allow high-risk individuals to fall through the cracks. We must strengthen forensic mental health protocols, expand community-based treatment and improve data tracking to prevent future violence.

This isn’t about stigmatizing mental illness. It’s about recognizing when psychiatric instability and criminality intersect in ways demanding urgent, coordinated response. Iryna fled war for safety. Charlotte failed her. We owe it to her and every resident to build systems that protect dignity and life.

Carl Cooper, former Mecklenburg County Detention Center mental health director, Indian Trail

Disappointing plan

The Make America Healthy Again plan for children is disappointing. It reads like a list of Robert F. Kennedy’s pet peeves than addressing the top children’s health problems.

The top cause of death in children is now gun violence, and that is not even mentioned. The fact that over five percent of children have no health insurance is not addressed. Universal vaccination had wiped out most childhood infectious diseases, but is now to be replaced by giving parents the right to refuse safe shots, exposing them and others to preventable illnesses. His clean air and water initiatives run counter to his party’s disdain for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Where is the outrage of professional medical organizations? Is it fear of reprisal from a vindictive administration?

Vincent Keipper, MD, Concord

Roadless rule

Federal agencies are in the process of repealing two long-standing environmental provisions, which protect our national lands and our health. The beneficiaries of these actions? Corporations.

The EPA decided the finding that carbon emissions are dangerous, which is behind pollution regulation, is not a legitimate basis for those regulations. This will give polluting corporations a free pass while citizens pay. Also, the USDA has decided the Roadless Rule should be repealed so national forests can be opened for logging.

Both provisions protect us from climate change. Public lands and people should be protected by our government, not exploited for corporate profit. The most effective action is to vote for candidates who care about people, not money.

Lynn Dransoff, Charlotte

Dems laundry

Despite Donald Trump’s weak and controversial policies and appointees, his favorability at 37% is still higher than Democrats’ favorability. And, despite Trump’s promises of price stabilization and economic strength, prices are just as high and markets continue to be uncertain about tariffs. Until Dems launder their dirty support for an enfeebled president, why should voters support them?

Tom Bowers, Charlotte

Jobs report

After the July jobs-created report showed a disappointing 73,000, Trump fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner. August declined to a stunningly low 22,000. One can only imagine how many BLS employees will incur Trump’s wrath. Rather than accept reality and responsibility, his administration shoots the messenger.

Arnie Grieves, Huntersville

Dangerous

The only requirement to be part of this Trump administration is loyalty. Forget ability, experience and integrity. One of the most dangerous of the unqualified is RFK Jr. He was ratified by the Senate despite his false statements about vaccines, his bizarre behavior and pleas from his family.

He cut money for research on mRNA vaccines. He has changed recommendations on COVID vaccinations despite promises during Senate confirmation hearings. I read weekly in the Journal of the American Medical Association of his actions that negatively affect the health of Americans and people worldwide.

We saw a cult like standing ovation when Florida’s surgeon general compared vaccine mandates to slavery. Vaccine-cured diseases may return. Science should never be politicized.

David Nachamie, MD, Lincolnton

Get along

People need to come to grips that we must agree to disagree instead of these get-in-your-face reactions, which can lead to harmful actions. From the top down, folks need to temper the name calling of people they disagree with.

Bill Lane, Polkville