I read with real disbelief the recent Herald editorial (“State, county overdose rates call for all-out effort,” The Herald, Aug. 26). Disbelief in that in the whole four column article, there was no mention of the “causes” of drug use and its inevitable result, addiction.
The simple fact is based in economics; and that as long as there is a demand, there will be a supply, this fact especially relevant in the case of drug use. This fact further impacted by society having to battle the crisis situation that has developed due to our not treating to the root causes of the crisis, but continuing to throw funding and money at effects (overdose deaths, need for more treatment facilities, education, training, providers, law enforcement, etc.); this pointing to another truth: that being that once a situation turns into a crisis, the necessary response involves battling the crisis rather than having the time to take stock of just what is causing the crisis, which will continue to be a crisis (and continue to worsen because of not addressing the causes).
I would ask that our Snohomish County Public Health epidemiologists provide some needed education to our elected officials and the general public about the actual, basic, root causes of the “demand” for drugs. “Why” is there a need for so many of us to use drugs? Let’s not continue to blame the cartels, pharmaceutical companies and medical prescribers for this crisis; they are just the “suppliers.” Why the demand? Why?
Jim Bloss
Monroe
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