We have all seen the increase in overdoses that have impacted so many lives in our area, for both the addicted and their families.

Continually, it seems that, each week, our leaders are provided with a grim outlook on the numbers of cases of overdoes that occur each day, with the numbers reflecting at least one case every day that emergency and medical personnel face.

We feel for those who face these issues each day, including the addicted, their families and those who are charged with their care.

Over the past few years, the increase in reported cases have increased to an epidemic standpoint. And while this is nothing we all don’t already know, it will take an aggressive approach from a united community if we are ever going to see a dent in the cases.

Shutting down the pill mills and enacting legislation is a good start, but so is ensuring we continue to provide emergency and medical personnel the resources needed. On the legislation side, we need to give our law enforcement and court system the teeth it needs to make a positive difference in these peoples lives.

This is a war that we certainly didn’t want, but it is a war we have to fight vigorously with everything we have if we will have a chance to win.