OPINION | The Local Views From the editor
LETTERS
‘Chasing the Dragon’ spotlights opioids
| Reader Views
By Melody Kinser Managing Editor It’s purely coincidental that this week’s topic mirrors what was written last week. But the reality is that we have a serious — and growing — problem in our nation. And, as much as we’d like to think we aren’t susceptible to all the woes of the world, this demon is in our community. Once again, we are going to address opioid abuse and what concerned citizens and officials are doing to combat the problem. At 7 p.m. Monday, a documentary, “Chasing the Dragon,” will be shown in the Ellis Hall of the First Baptist Church at 800 Thompson St. in Ashland. A question-and-answer session will follow. In addition to the issue of opioid abuse, the program will delve into the horror of heroin. Hanover Cares Coalition is the primary organization behind the evening’s film and discussion. We’ve heard the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office and Hanover County Public Schools will have representatives in attendance. While we hear the word opioid more and more, for years we referred to the prescriptions as pain pills. And, I do believe there is a need for them — if used properly. My father was of the generation that didn’t turn to medications to ease pain. That was his attitude until cancer took over his lungs. The oncologist couldn’t make any promises of any kind of recovery or life expectancy. Dad was being given morphine to ease his suf-
fering. As a family we realized his agony when he requested more morphine. I’ll admit I support marijuana as a relief for those with terminal illnesses and other conditions in which it can provide some comfort. But that’s a legal issue for those who make the laws. Ashland activist Ragan Phillips is among those community leaders who organized next Monday’s program. He recently said that more people died in the Commonwealth from opioid overdose (800 deaths) than were killed in traffic accidents last year — for the second consecutive year.” Phillips said the county is at risk. “The abuse of opioids is not limited to cities or to those families with low incomes. The risk is for everyone, regardless of race, culture, age, or economic status. Opioid abuse is indiscriminate as to who it traps and kills.” No one is immune, and consider those who may have a genetic disposition for addictions. I’ve seen this more in alcoholics, but addictions fall in many categories, including food. Phillips compared the opioid addiction to a disease like cancer. “We must not allow this addiction to become stigmatized. We must not allow our community to ‘look the other way’.” As a community, he said everyone is a stakeholder, noting that, from a prevention perspective, we are “gate keepers.” Phillips said we must work together “to avert and alleviate opioid abuse in our community.” “We are urgently trying to make our community ... your community ... aware of this risk.
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The Mechanicsville Local
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February 22, 2017
We intend to provide information on prevention and to inform families about the resources that are available, if needed, to those caught in this terrible addiction,” Phillips said. To register and get free tickets, go to http:// tinyurl.com/zc6wh3v. The only way to battle the demon is to help those who are afflicted. I’ve always urged that we work toward learning why so many fall prey to drugs. We’ve heard plenty of catch phrases through the years, but at issue is what draws people to feel the need to take drugs that could not only ruin their lives but end them.
Saying goodbye to a hero I did not know Henri G. Moore Jr., assistant chief of Hanover Fire-EMS, but, based on the response to our Facebook posting of his obituary, he was one of the most respected and beloved members of that very special “family.” Our sympathies go out to his family and his brothers and sisters in Fire-EMS. His obituary included this: His passion was to always encourage, inspire and guide those he met with a compassionate, loving and selfless spirit. Most significant in his obit was the fact that he had given his life to the Lord and served well. In addition to Fire-EMS, he was involved with his children’s activities. Assistant Chief Moore was laid to rest Thursday. Now he rejoices with God. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.
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Supervisor: voting record has been clear, consistent In response to Mr. Ken Essigman’s letter, there are a number of matters that should be clarified. We often have a predisposition to believe what we read. For this reason, and many others, I will attempt to correct the record. I wrote an OP-ED in 2012 titled “I VOTE NO” which speaks directly to a few assertions made in Mr. Essigman’s letter. Additionally, there is an easily accessible voting record for the public to view. My voting record is clear and consistent. I have voted against a number of proposed developments for valid reasons. In some of those cases the projects were still approved; however, many would argue that it did not come as a “green light”. With regard to my statement on tax dollars coming from taxpayers — that is exactly what I meant. Far too long have we listened to politicians call a tax everything but a tax. Often we hear about special funds, lockboxes, and State Aid to Localities (how our tax dollars go to the State and then a portion are returned to the locality, titled as “Aid”, is rather bizarre). None of this means a thing when you are notified that funding for projects has been reduced. At the end of the day, the government doesn’t have a single dollar that hasn’t come from a taxpayer. The point I make is this, let’s call it what it is and then notify the citizenry. No smoke, no mirrors, no spin. We have a 90% reduction in State Funding for secondary roads in Hanover County. When Hanover tax dollars didn’t come back to Hanover a funding plan was constructed for presentation to see LETTERS, pg. 8