To The Reader’s Forum:

“Great civilizations are not defeated from without until they have been destroyed from within.” — Will Durant

It was heartening to read Dr. Lillian Ney’s comments featured in the OPED dated October 22, 2017 entitled ” The Many Causes of Addiction: No One Cause, No One Solution”. She astutely outlined the landscape of the opioid crisis that currently engulfs our nation. Due to its ubiquitous nature no area whether urban or rural is immune from its destructive tentacles. Opioid misuse is destroying families, ruining futures, and killing our fellow citizens without discrimination. The opioid road is an equal opportunity menace.

The optimistic component of Dr. Ney’s comments were focused on the upcoming proactive forum on the crisis to be convened at JCC’s Scharmann Theater on November 15th @ 6:30 p.m. This cooperative event will feature the synergy of a number of dedicated organizations that will address this scourge from a number of perspectives. This event is a powerful example of caring local organizations joining forces to hopefully magnify the knowledge and assistance that they can render to a wounded community.

Dr. Ney’s comments referenced a number of causes that have contributed to the opioid dilemma that we face. Logically one might surmise that a drug cartel might be a contributing factor but another entity whose identity both disheartened and saddened me has been identified as a contributor to the massive opioid crisis that our community faces . I would ask all who read this and share our collective concern for the many thousands devastated by this demon take the time to view the “60 Minutes ” episode that aired October 15th and/or read the Washington Post article, ” The Drug Industry’s Triumph Over the DEA” dated October 15, 2017. The organization that facilitated the continued mass distribution of opioids was the Congress of the United States. With funding provided by the pharmaceutical industry lobbyists – an elected Pennsylvania Senator crafted legislation that effectively removed the ability of the Drug Enforcement Agency to expeditiously shut down and prosecute large disseminators of opioids destined to fuel the epidemic. By acclimation both Houses passed into law this bill that enabled the continued flow of highly questionable mass quantities of opioids into communities large and small throughout the United States. The subsequent toll of devastated lives has been enormous. Since the vote in both Houses to pass what I will refer to as the “Opioid Enabling Act ” was conveniently made by voice vote – as citizens we do not have a record of how our representatives cast their vote. Convenient. The campaign contributions, in my mind, do have identity – blood money.

As citizens, we need to learn why and how our legislators voted and demand that this legislation be rescinded immediately. I sincerely hope that the content of this legislative malfeasance be made available to all who wish to help stop a killer on the loose. Adding insult to injury – the proponent of this legislation was initially nominated to be the new Director of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This action was puzzling to me unless its goal was designed to “fill the swamp”.

David J. Switala,

Jamestown