A 40-year-old family friend died last week.
When she was in her mid-20s, she had an accident at work.
She fell and hit her head on a concrete floor.
Then the headaches started.
Her doctors couldn’t figure out the cause or cure so she was prescribed narcotics to ease the pain.
It’s the old story.
Soon she was addicted.
For the next 15 years, she fought her way out of that addiction and then fell back into it.
She worked when she could but often she couldn’t.
She left behind a 17-year-old son and a disabled grandfather.
She could have used the wrap-around services of that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinic that so many of you oppose so vehemently.
The point is that, if she lived next door to you, you may not have known she was an addict.
She worked when she could.
She loved her son.
She helped her family.
She was not a monster.
She was not a criminal.
She was the person the MAT clinic is meant to help.
Yes, there will be some homeless people receiving services there.
There will be many more people who are your neighbors, friends and relatives.
Addiction is not a lifestyle choice.
Would you deny any human beings the treatment that they need and deserve?
Gloria Ricketts
Port Hadlock