I am writing in response to the article titled “Opioids and Drug Abuse Escalate Locally” (Great Falls Connection, March 4-10, 2020). In the article, the author states that the keynote speaker at the event theorized that in order to stop the drug crisis from progressing, we, as a community, must rebuild our social ties with those who have re-entered society from recovery.

I completely agree with this statement. I believe that if we were to sever our relationships with people who are in a major state of vulnerability to drugs, they will feel more provoked to return to their addiction. Additionally, I admired the fact that the author emphasized the speaker’s point that the people must unite in order to solve this community-related issue. The author presents an issue that makes me believe the community must shed the stigma against people coming from recovery, and rid of that toxic group-belief. I think that we should transition that belief into a new group-belief that feel recovered addicts deserve a second chance from the community, too. By having a more positive popular belief, individuals will feel like they are continuing recovery within their own neighborhoods.

Emily Rejas

Springfield