DRUG ADDICTS, LOVED ONES NEED COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT, NOT ITS CONDEMNATION

A few weeks ago I read in the SAYSO column a comment about drug addiction
not being a disease, people do this to themselves and they should all
overdose and die. Everyone has a right to an opinion, but would this person
feel the same way if the person that overdosed was someone they love? Most
people view drug addicts as the "dregs of society," dirty people who steal
and break the law.

Drug addicts do break the law, but not all are what they seem. They are
people. They are someone's child, parent, sibling, friend or co- worker.
Some are professionals, students, or hometown people from all walks of
life. All are living with a secret turmoil knowing something is wrong but
not being able to stop it. Some may not want to stop it, depending on
factors in their life. For whatever the reason there is too much of this in
our valley. People are dying every week because of drug addiction. The
valley seems to make believe it is "not around here," which also makes it
"not our problem."

An article I read a few days ago stated "19 deaths so far this year." That
is about five people a month dying because of drugs. To the person who felt
that this is the answer: You are wrong. I bet you any amount of money that
your opinion would disappear if you were on the other end and your child or
family member was found dead of a drug overdose.

On April 17 it will be two years that my 19-year-old niece died of a heroin
overdose. I was on the end of the receiver. That is one phone call you
don't forget and repeats itself every time you hear of another death due to
a drug overdose. Drug addiction is here, it is in our communities, schools,
places of work and maybe our homes.

Take the time to know what is going on with your children. Learn more about
signs of drug abuse or behaviors that may be sending hidden signals of
abuse. Attend a drug rally or pick up some pamphlets to educate each other
on drug abuse. Do whatever you feel you can to help someone. We need to
realize the problem before we can debate the solution. If you are someone
with a drug problem, don't be afraid to ask for help, You will be surprised
as to how many people would be willing to help you and support you. I wish
my niece did.

Dolores Baynock

Kingston