Opioid addiction is complicated, devastating and real. As I’ve walked our neighborhoods, it’s a topic on everyone’s mind because it affects people lives, the safety of our neighborhoods & city. To tackle this problem, we’ll need to start approaching it with new eyes. Programs like Somebody’s Someone is a resource for our local WBPD to help offenders break the cycle of arrest, release, repeat. Also, a program was piloted last October from the Luzerne County District Attorney’s office & Luzerne County Drug and Alcohol, which is a pre-arrest, second chance program which requires a commitment of a drug treatment plan in lieu of certain charges.
We know arrest and release does not end the cycle of addiction. We can do better. We need to give our Police & Fire/EMS the tools to fight this epidemic and residents the tools and knowledge of how to access paths to recovery.
Tackling this wont be easy, because there is not a quick fix or band aid. We’ll need the vigilance of our community and all of our surrounding communities to work together with county and state leaders as much as our local resources to fight this war on addiction.

If you’d like to share your story, please contact Linda at lindarowewb@gmail.com to share your success, suggestions or hurdles you’ve faced through recovery.