Just three weeks ago when the Revere statistics were released for opioid deaths and overdoses in 2016, it appeared that the measures in place combatting this terrible crisis were working, as there was a significant decrease reported. However, just a week later, the sudden spike in overdoses and two possible deaths (there were four in all of 2016) show that the drug war that is claiming too many of our citizens is far from over.
One only has to look at the lives cut short to realize that our best efforts are just not good enough at times.
Our first responders are continuing to do their job in trying to save these lives. Mayor Brian Arrigo has started many programs to combat the opioid crisis.
But the real first line starts at home.
Parents and guardians need to be ever-vigilant in spotting the signs of drug use among their children and teenagers.
This is easier than it sounds.
With both parents working as is the norm, there is a lack of supervision between the time when school ends and supper is served, and this is usually when children start to experiment.
It is all too common that teenagers go up to their room and close their door and parents hope just they are talking to their friends on their cellphones.
The teenage years are the perhaps the most difficult, both for the child, who has so much pressure to deal with and who has to make the right decisions, and for the parents, who must let their child have the freedom to make some of the decisions.
We urge parents to keep talking even when it seems no one is listening.
We also urge parents to question the drugs that are prescribed to an injured athlete.
The best way to stop a drug problem is never to have one start.
No one ever said that it was going to be easy to raise a child, especially today.
