The cliché is that you cannot fully understand what someone is going through until you walk a mile in their shoes. The owners of a new drug treatment center in Lawrence County have done their share of walking and should be able to relate to the men and women they are trying to help.

Community Counseling and Treatment Services, Inc., on State Route 93 is a center designed to help people break the cycle of addiction as well as change the perception of those fighting substance abuse.

The fact that both owners of the center are success stories as individuals who have followed the road to recovery is a positive impact.

Drug offenses and related crimes are the Number One reason people are in jail in America. The rapid growth of drug abuse and addiction continues to place a significant burden on our society and our correctional institutions.

We cannot simply keep locking away individuals battling substance abuse problems. We must take steps towards de-criminalization of addiction and treatment for those who truly want help.

History shows individuals cannot do it on their own.

Here in Lawrence County prescription drug abuse has continued to grow to almost epidemic-like proportions.

Thankfully, centers like this one, Spectrum Outreach, The Linda Center and others are trying to treat the “disease” rather than just locking away the symptoms.