Opioid abuse: Tuesday event at WCC aimed at educating public about dangers

The latest drug addiction problem to strike our society is that of opium-based painkillers, or opioids.

Many people who have developed an addiction to these drugs started out using prescribed painkillers that are opium-based. Authorities say the problem has become a crisis, with millions of people addicted to the drugs.

The problem has reached Wayne County, and officials here are planning a forum Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at Wayne Community College to discuss ways to combat it.

Opioid addiction can affect people from all walks of life. You don't have to be a user of illegal drugs to get hooked on painkillers. That is why they are so destructive. And that is why it is important that there is a good turnout for the forum and the film "Chasing the Dragon," which describes the life of an opioid addict.

Education is the key to stopping this raging problem. People need to know how easy it is to get hooked on painkillers and what they can do to avoid reaching that stage.

We hope there will be plenty of people in attendance Tuesday evening. The opioid problem is real, and it is knocking at our doors. Learning how it sneaks into people's lives might prevent someone from going down that road.

Published in Editorials on May 15, 2017 9:33 AM