Liberty

To the editor:

We live in a country that has been drastically impacted by opioids. Sullivan County is one specific place that has reaped the dire consequences of this epidemic. Our people suffer from the highest overdose rate in New York State per capita.

The companies that produced and distributed those opioids have been fined for their unethical practices, and those funds have been distributed to the counties, nationwide, but in Sullivan County, the opioid settlement funds have not been distributed for their primary purpose: local prevention and treatment providers.

We should all contact the Chair of the Sullivan County Legislature at 845-807-0441 and ask WHY the opioid settlement funds are still sitting in an account somewhere, instead of being used to benefit those who have been hurt by this industry through the organizations that have applied and stand ready to provide the care and treatment that is needed.