Addicts come in all stripes

Reading the letter, “Need to bust heroin dealers,” I had to chuckle a little bit. The sale of heroin has been escalating in our area since the ’90s when the Mexican mafia chose our ‘lil neck of the woods to sell their wares. Back then, few people had cell phones and dealers used pagers. I am a recovering heroin addict, been clean for 12 years. We had to make our calls using pay phones and Jack in the Box’s pay phone was one of the most popular. Today, a pay phone is hard to find and even the homeless and jobless have cell phones.

He said, “I urge the Everett Police Department to please do something about this.” As if they weren’t aware of this problem. The sale and use of heroin in Snohomish County is a pandemic. For every police officer, there are 1,000 heroin users and dealers. The police have been “doing something” as well as can be expected. Unfortunately, today’s heroin user is hiding in plain sight. That poster that used to hang in my doctor’s office sticks out in my mind showing how to “Spot a Junkie.” The man (like women aren’t junkies too) is skinny, wearing dark glasses and a leather jacket. The “junkie” was shown having giant track marks on his arms, dark circles under his red and watering eyes. In reality today’s heroin user may be delivering your mail, or defending you in court. Today’s “junkie” is a housewife living on Mercer Island or your kid’s teacher or school bus driver.

Help our police out. Call them when you see suspicious behavior. If you are a heroin user, please … go to the local methadone clinic and save your life. I know it saved mine.

Susan Martin

Everett

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

Robotic hand playing hopscotch on a keyboard. Artifical intelligence, text generators, ai and job issues concept. Vector illustration.
Editorial: Help the county write rules for AI’s robots

A civic assembly of 40 volunteers will be asked to draft policy for AI use in county government.

February 1, 2026: The Self-Portrait
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, Feb. 1

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Roberts: Gutting of Clean Air Act will cost us in lives, more

Rejecting long-accepted science and recent findings, Trump’s EPA favors fossil fuels over Americans.

Comment: A millionaires’ tax won’t chase the wealthy out of state

Data refute the notion of migration to avoid taxes. Here’s what should guide the discussion in Olympia.

FILE — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks  following the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent on Thursday, in New York, Jan. 8, 2026. Additional layers of review ordered by Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, have slowed assistance to disaster-struck communities. (Angelina Katsanis/The New York Times)
Comment: When no one can believe anything anymore

Philosopher Hannah Arendt warned lies rob us of the ability to discern reality and make decisions.

Snohomish High student urges voters’ support for district levies

I urge all Snohomish School District residents to vote yes on the… Continue reading

Is there property tax help for seniors? Yes.

As a senior citizen living in Everett, it is very difficult to… Continue reading

Support Congress’ Fix Our Forests Act to protect forests, wildlife

It’s a no-brainer: Healthier forests mean healthier and more abundant wildlife populations.… Continue reading

Trump wrong on NATO participation in Afghanistan

Donald Trump’s recent statement to Fox News that “they (NATO troops in… Continue reading

Humility in government needs some practice closer to home

Thanks to The Herald for publishing Stanwood Mayor Sid Roberts’ piece on… Continue reading

Kristof: The best life coaches for kids may be other kids

A new study shows that mixed-income housing allows kids a view into success and advancement.

Commentary: Stop abuse of federal program to lower drug prices

The 340B drug pricing plan is meant to help low-income patients. It needs better oversight in this state.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.