Column: Seeking Solutions To The Heroin Problem
Dear Readers:
There comes a time when a newspaper person, particularly those of us at small town papers, but really, anywhere, feels the need to abandon some of their impartiality and put their own voice into things. Usually it’s in a column, but in the opening of the article related to the heroin project (Here, or on Page A1 of the May 17, 2017 edition of The Nashville News), I do recommend and implore people to check out the film, “The Heroin Project”.
While at the Nashville showing of the movie, I injected myself into the discussion because if there is something that can be done by me or this paper about the heroin problem striking America and our community in particular, I feel that we need to do it.
I have been sitting on this story for a few weeks since the latest showing of the film because I have been overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem and the fact that I can’t do it or the plea for help by those present at the screening of the film due justice. I am trying not to worry about that and simply offering this space as a post for some of the information present and to reiterate their requests – we need help with this. We all do.
None of us, no one in law enforcement, in the courts, in medicine or in our schools – none of us in this community – want to see one more person die from this drug, from this disease.
I had been approached by some of those who spoke at this event wondering why more wasn’t in the paper sooner and I have no one to blame for that but myself – it’s a very busy time of year and frankly, the heroin epidemic and its effects on our community is an issue deserving not only time and consideration, but space in the paper, more of it than I can give it in just one issue, which is why the story will be continued in a second part.
While I will go into more detail about what was discussed, along with some of the ideas put forth at the screening in that continuation, I would ask those who have an interest in this not to wait for part two.
If you have an interest hosting another screening of the movie; if you have an idea, a service you can provide or anything that can help, then please get in touch with one of us and join in the fight.
It’s all hands on deck and I don’t know that we are, all of us, in a situation where we can turn down any help offered.
Heather Todd has a copy of the film, and is happy to organize a screening of it. She can be reached at (618) 599-8967 or at ptandht@frontier.com.
Dennis Hatch can be reached (618) 314-4312 or at dennishatchlaw@gmail.com.
The Washington County Health Department can be reached at (618) 327-3644, ask for Sharon Frederking or Babs Frederking.
Judge Dan Emge, State’s Attorney Dan Bronke and Sheriff Danny Bradac can all be reached at the Washington County Courthouse, (618) 327-4800, follow the menus to get to their various extensions.
More information on “The Heroin Project” film can be found at facebook.com/heroinprojectdoc to purchase a copy at $20 each, send an email to ashleyseering@gmail.com.
I can be reached at The Nashville News office line at (618) 327-3411, or on my own phone at (708) 309-9633, or by email at either ahaglund@mail.com or news@nashnews.net.
–Alex Haglund, Managing Editor
