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All too aware of Fentanyl

Posted 5/9/23

W ith the heaviest of hearts, the population of Sullivan County are made all too aware of Fentanyl all too often, especially today, May 9, which is Fentanyl Awareness Day. We are overburdened with …

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All too aware of Fentanyl

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With the heaviest of hearts, the population of Sullivan County are made all too aware of Fentanyl all too often, especially today, May 9, which is Fentanyl Awareness Day. We are overburdened with stories of strangers and loved ones either dealing with the reality of these substances being in our communities, or taking action to avoid the damage caused by them.

Recently, one young life of 16 months was lost and another young one was affected by the presence of fentanyl in our communities and in our homes. 

It makes you stop and shake your head, wondering how we would ever be in a place where we could not be constantly aware of fentanyl in our community. It is a long and difficult path, but it is not impossible that the area we call home is no longer as seriously affected by this epidemic. The pathway towards that bright future is being created and already has a number of solutions to fixing the problem.

One of those solutions being Hope Not Handcuffs, a program put on by the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the county’s Drug Task Force. Offering helpful options to those afflicted by illegal substance use rather than only punishment is an important step in not only helping those who need it, but also pushing them toward wanting to receive help.

This program, and many other organizations that seek to offer our youth healthy lifestyles that are alternatives to illegal substance use such as public libraries, schools, youth groups, local businesses, are vital in the restabilization of our community and the gateway to breaking the cycle for our youngest neighbors.

We owe our children that much. No one deserves to fall into that fate, especially from such a young age. It is imperative we must resolve this issue; if not for us, then for our children, who also silently and not-so-silently suffer from this epidemic.

For more information regarding the Sullivan County Drug Task Force, please visit the Sullivan County’s website page at sullivanny.us/Departments/drug-task-force.com, or give them a ring at (845) 794-3000.

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