Don't be numb to drugs

Let’s go for a stroll. As we walk around, look at the ground. Do you see the orange caps? Look at the needles lying right here. There is an epidemic; the evidence is everywhere you look now. It’s not safe for your kids to play in the park, playground or even their own yards, it seems. What’s that you say? It’s the homeless, it’s their fault? I think you are blaming the wrong people. The homeless are not to blame. I’m not accusing you of being dumb, just a little numb.

Allow me to try and make a point. Homeless don’t become addicts because they’re homeless. Not all, that’s for sure. But addicts become homeless, because they have lost everything.

 Let’s keep walking. We know that drugs kill, without discrimination; without the slightest care for your station in life. They begin by killing you from the inside out. Taking first your freedom, then your friends, family, job, car, home and control over anything you once did. Drugs, especially fentanyl or opioids, are designed to be addictive. Think you can avoid becoming an addict? Just try it if you dare; you can’t. I know! I hope and pray that the thought of using drugs scares you to death. Because it should.

 Anyone can become another victim of addiction. Every day, more young and old people alike start down that road. Those who think they can control it are fooling themselves. Sometimes a single use will kill, maybe it’ll take a few. Or years may pass before you OD.

You ask what I can do? Talk about it. Openly, often, forcefully if necessary. Talk to your children, often, keep talking to them. Point out the orange caps and needles the addicts discard without a seeming care in the world. Explain the dangers of touching them. Talk to your coworkers, family members. Get involved in the war that is going on. Don’t look down on people in recovery. Listen to their stories. You might learn something. Don’t blame the addicts. Blame the cartels. The cartels are winning, getting richer and richer. They don’t need to advertise or market what they sell, because it’s so addictive.

Aren’t you tired of the needles and orange caps, seeing people out of their minds at Walmart and City Market? Seeing people so high, they are scary? Sleeping it off, or lord forbid dead on the sidewalk, or in the park.

I beg you, for your children, mom, dad, husband, wife, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, coworkers, boyfriends and girlfriends – everyone. For our community and even our country. Broaden education, speak loudly, openly, until everyone is so scared of drugs that we win our loved ones back.

When a person gets lost in the forest, we join together to search for them. Pull people out of burning homes. This is one of those times. Join forces, there’s a serious crisis, the evidence is everywhere! TV ads are selling Suboxone and other opioid inhibitors, rehab programs, and more. Next, Narcan ads and demonstrations will be an everyday occurrence. Syringe dispensers at the library, bathrooms everywhere, too.

Come on, get mad, please. The time to be numb is done. Let’s make the cartels find a new way to make money. Wake up, reach out and tell our government enough is enough. We are not going to blame the addicts anymore. Drugs are made to be addictive.

Look, there’s another needle. An empty baggie, too.

– Allan M. Rieser, in recovery from addiction, resident and client at Hilltop House