The opioid epidemic tightens its grip on America

New York Post ^ | March 20,2017 | Salena Zito

[Hojczyk]

“We feel it necessary to show the other side of this horrible drug,” East Liverpool police officials wrote in a caption on the photo. “We feel we need to be a voice for the children caught up in this horrible mess.”

The photo caused the country to shudder.

And, then, the country forgot.

Politicians forgot, too, said Lane. “Governor John Kasich said he was going to come to town and get to the bottom of this. He never did.”

Meanwhile, the problems in East Liverpool are deepening.

People are dying, yes, “but the broader dangers are ignored,” Lane said. “Think of the potency of the fentanyl that almost killed my officer. What if a kid had hugged him in the grocery store? Or an elderly person? They’d all be dead.”

And what if someone with larger, more devious plans in mind used such a toxic substance in an act of terrorism, he wonders. “Imagine if someone put that in the water system. Or tossed it on a crowd. Now think about that, the dangers are unlimited.”

And these deadly drugs? Well, they are pretty easy to get, Lane explains. “Just go on the Internet and order them from China. They deliver them to your door.”

Lane is dissatisfied with Kasich, who has cut funding and hurt the chief’s ability to go after dealers and track down the sources.

He’s hopeful that President Trump will make good on his promises to solve the epidemic.

Opiate abuse kills 91 people a day in the US, according to the CDC, and much of the problem is concentrated in Rust Belt counties where Trump won

Many voters in these states switched their support from Barack Obama and the Democrats to Trump, hoping to shock the political class into noticing the problems in their communities.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Just because some idiot has a kid and OD’s on drugs doesn’t mean I must now stoop to that level."

So I guess it's always the parents fault? I'm lucky, none of my kids (all in their 20's) have ever done drugs and they are successful. However, I know some good people who have done the best they could that have had to deal with problems. If you have kids, I hope you never have to deal with it, from your attitude I don't think you could handle it.

[9YearLurker]

It is also a long-standing state strategy to try to get enemy populations addicted and indolent. I’m sure China, Russia, and our own Deep State don’t mind seeing our people weakened.

[chasio649]

That was a list of Elvis’ autopsy find...right? BTW I am a huge Elvis fan but don’t live in denial.

[muggs]

I'm glad your daughter escaped death. I hope she is doing well and has escaped the hold heroin has on people.

I have a friend who’s son OD’ed in March. She is crushed.