DRUGS ARE KILLING OUR FUTURE

Dear Editor:

I am addressing this letter to all citizens in this area who need to be
aware of the ongoing drug problem that is taking over our quaint
neighborhoods. Do you know what it is like to lose someone you love to
drugs? Can you fathom the idea of your son/daughter,
grandson/granddaughter, niece/nephew, friend or co-worker never waking
up again because they took one too many pills?

Why should you? We live in small towns with friendly neighbors and
breath-taking scenery.

Those kind of things just don't happen around here. That's where you
are wrong. It's time to wake up and face reality that your next-door
neighbor may be the very one supplying the "good stuff" to those who
so desire it.

I lost my 19-year old nephew this past week to a drug overdose and I
refuse to sit back and watch this continue to happen.

How many more youth, as well as young adults, do we have to bury
before we, as citizens, step-up and take control?

The drug problem runs rampant in many counties across Southwest
Virginia and East Tennessee. It is in our homes, our backyards, and
our schools.

Most of you are misinformed or often uninformed of the type of drugs
that are taking control of many lives. When you hear about a drug
overdose, what do you automatically think? Marijuana? Cocaine? Heroin?
You need to think again and go check in your medicine cabinet.

There you will find your answer.

Prescription pills are becoming the drug of choice for most any user.
It's not illegal to possess these drugs.

They are a controlled substance approved by the FDA. How do these
drugs wind up in the wrong hands?

Where does a 19-year old get Valiums, Xanex, Oxycontin, and Methadone?
Very rarely would these be prescribed to a young person, but yet they
easily fall into their hands.

The problem doesn't arise with our youth and I challenge you to not
put the blame on them. They are the victims.

Who sells these pills to our youth?

You might be surprised to know the truth. It's not your "average" drug
dealer.

It's the friendly neighbor in the house next door.

Yes, I am bitter and angry that because someone out there chose to
sell their prescription pills for money, I had to say good-bye to my
nephew, my best friend, my heart and soul. Nothing will ever bring him
back to me. I want to encourage each and everyone who cares, to not
sit back and pretend that it doesn't exist.

Drugs are real and they are killing our future. You can't deny when a
problem exists and sugar-coat it. No amount of tourism will make the
problem go away. It's only a cover-up. Fight for our youth and a
better tomorrow.

It's our only hope.

Kristen W. Eller

Damascus, VA