Three Forks Voice - Connect With Your Community!

Opioid addiction is a major crisis in the United States.

It affects communities both large and small. While the epidemic is one faced by many adults, it is really scary to see what the consequences opioids have had on the youth of America. Most people probably know someone or a family member who had a major problem with opioids or have even overdosed.

What is really scary is how often the opioid addiction starts with prescription pills. Of course, there are certainly people who are addicted to heroin, but the current epidemic is largely because of prescription pills like Oxycodone and ones similar in nature.

Law enforcement has their hands full with the issue and run into a large amount of calls that are a direct result of opioid addiction.

One great thing that law enforcement agencies are doing is hosting Take Back Drug Events like the one hosted April 27 by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Department. This event allows people to bring in drugs they no longer use, and they are destroyed. It is frightening to think about, but an addicted family member could steal this medication or even worse a curious teenager could access the medication and either use it or sell it.

Fixing the issues dealing with this crippling addiction are certainly complex and there is no easy answer. Events like the drug take back day are an important part of the process. They rid homes of unneeded prescription medication. While the medication may have been of great assistance when it was prescribed, if it is no longer being used this allows a safe way to get rid of it.

I encourage local residents to look through their medicine cabinets and take part in this important event.