Diverse community group works together and devises plan to address fentanyl crisis | Opinion
Prevent fentanyl deaths
There were 49 confirmed, drug-related deaths in Beaufort County in 2021, the latest numbers available. Of these 49 deaths, 35, or 71% involved the powerful opioid drug fentanyl in some form.
Our local group Crosscurrents, whose goal is to be an example of productive public discourse on difficult public issues, chose to tackle the drug abuse problem to determine whether bipartisan agreement could be reached on recommendations for action in our county.
Given the high levels of overdose deaths being recorded, a consensus emerged that preventing overdose deaths, with particular focus on fentanyl-related deaths, should be the single most important goal.
The group agreed on the following recommendations:
1. Make Narcan (Naxalone) and fentanyl test strips more widely and easily available in the community.
2. Support local programming and information sharing to de-stigmatize drug use and encourage abusers to use community resources.
3. Educate first responders, educators and others likely to interact with users in crisis.
4. Investigate and recommend age-appropriate programs in schools for students and educators to raise awareness of signs of abuse as well as early prevention.
5. Research and recommend mental health resources for prevention, information and counseling.
6. Research supply side laws and penalties and support stiffer penalties.
For further information about how you can join the Crosscurrents initiative to help expand civil public dialogue among persons with diverse views, contact rogbernier@gmail.com.
Roger Bernier, Okatie
A pleased islander
As a long-term resident of Hilton Head, I am so very pleased and proud of the care and attention with which the Island is being maintained.
The common area landscaping looks immaculate and inviting. The roads are newly paved. No trash is on the medians and the berms. The bike paths are inviting to tourists and residents.
The Island looks and feels the best it has ever looked and felt in the 45 years I have been a resident.
“Kudos” and “thank you” to the town manager and the town staff for the excellent job they are doing! I’m personally grateful.
And of course thanks to the town council for the many long hours they contribute to make the island a wonderful place to live.
Kumar Viswanathan, HHI
Justice served
Thank you for your article in the Aug. 2 edition on Henrietta Lacks.
Such injustice to a woman whose cancer cells were removed without her permission and sold to pharmaceutical companies.
Her cells reproduced quickly and billions were made without Henrietta or her family ever knowing this was happening. It was by chance, years after her passing, an investigation began. The lawsuit has been settled for an undisclosed amount.
Many in the science profession had used what came to be known as HeLa cells without knowing the story behind the name.
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” is well worth reading.
After all these years, justice has been granted to the Lacks family, many of whom passed away before this settlement was made.
Judy Baccei, HHI
A man without a country?
I have the perfect solution for the complications surrounding the possible incarceration of former President Donald Trump.
Years ago, I recall reading the Edward Everett Hale short story “The Man Without a Country,” originally published in 1863.
It is the story of an American military officer whose traitorous conduct and hatred of the United States prompted a unique and poignant solution. Rather than sentencing him to prison, he was sentenced to live aboard U.S. Navy ships at sea for the rest of his life.
Year after year, he was to be passed from ship to ship, forever remaining at sea. The ships’ crews were forbidden to discuss anything about the United States with him nor was he permitted to read newspapers or books about the United States.
Only after continuous years of isolation at sea did he come to realize what America really meant, and the grievous error of his ways.
Such would be an appropriate punishment for Donald John Trump and his criminal confederates.
Henry Druckerman, Bluffton
