Silence is no longer an option in the battle against addiction

Several people from Whitney Point have died from drug related complications very recently. Others have reported property crime that is likely driven by addiction. Moments of silence aren’t good enough any more. We need to keep talking about this issue. We need to keep fighting. We need to keep educating. We need to speak up to our friends, family and neighbors. We need to do everything that we can to save every life that we can. We need to fix this.

The gravity of this epidemic cannot be understated. We have repeatedly seen that the opiate and addiction crisis that we are experiencing knows no boundaries. It continues to effect us all. None of our communities are untouched. This is one of the worst public health crisis’ in our life time and it’s here in our back yard.

As if heroin wasn’t bad enough, a new drug has made it to Broome County which is likely responsible for the recent rise in overdoses and deaths. The details are in the article above but it’s safe to say, death is being distributed by drug dealers in our area.

We have a very strong and tightly knit community here in Whitney Point, which is why I am asking everyone to take action. Not just in Whitney Point, but all across Broome County, New York State and our country. People are dying. Our families are struggling. This is our problem. This is everyone’s problem. And it needs our attention and passion.

Many of us have probably felt moments of helplessness as we read about this crisis or watch someone we know and love struggle. I’m here to remind everyone that we are not helpless. We can help people get the attention that they need to deal with their addiction. We can save lives. We have to speak up. We have to open the door. We can’t afford to just sit aside. We have to be proactive.

I know how much many of you love this community and love this area. I certainly count myself among that group. I am proud of who we are. So let’s rise up and fix this.

If you are someone who is struggling with addiction or considering using these drugs, I am here to remind you that you are loved. Heroin and the substances that are being passed off as heroin are not worth your life. We are here for you. We care about you. There is help for you out there and there is life after addiction and drug use. A good one. It’s waiting for you. We want you here and we are asking you to reach out. We know how hard it is. But we’re asking you to reach out and get on the road to redemption because we care about you and we know you can do it.

To everyone else, please share this post or make a post of your own. There are people out there who need support and we can give it to them. We can beat this. We can save lives. Let’s stand together and overcome.