Heroin in My Hometown

I am not sure what it is about Dutchess County, but there is a big problem.  Within the past five years it seems as though I hear of the death of someone around my age on an almost monthly basis.  At this point it does not even have to be said what the cause is, because it is so often complications from heroin or opioid addiction.  I can recall the first time I heard of someone passing from heroin overdose.  It was a shock that these horrible drugs existed in the community and that someone so young was involved with them.  From there, it only escalated and the number of young lives lost was spiraling out of control.

It has gotten to the point where there is an apparent formula for dealing with these deaths.  Memories of the individual float around social media until the next person passes.  There have been steps taken to alleviate this epidemic, such as revival drugs that counter the effects of an overdose and access to longer term rehabilitation and recovery.  These treatments are saving lives, but they are attacking the problem after much of the damage has been done.

This epidemic is impacting young people, often right after they graduate high school, if not before.  Our schools need to address this problem more aggressively.  There are resources for educators available through the Council on Addiction, Prevention & Education (CAPE) and the Dutchess County government, but I am not sure that enough educators are aware of this and see it as a priority.

Presently, once or twice a year there are assemblies where students gather to listen to someone speak about addiction.  In this setting, many students are not paying attention.  They are on their phones, dosing off, talking to their friends, or just staring off, happy to be out of class.  There needs to be education and testimonials about the harmful, deadly effects of drug abuse, specifically opioid and heroin addiction.  This education would have a stronger impact in smaller, more intimate settings, such as the health course that juniors and seniors take.  In a classroom, students may feel more comfortable sharing, asking questions, and participating in discussion.  There is nowhere to hide like there is in the giant auditorium.  This type of education would require more time and resources, but young people are dying in this community and preventive measures need to be taken.