Ann Wagner: “The world is an ugly place right now. It seems that at every turn there is another crisis--another barrier to peace and…”

“The world is an ugly place right now. It seems that at every turn there is another crisis--another barrier to peace and prosperity, another obstacle to fight, or another cross to bear. More of our citizens, women, children, and grandkids are turning to something--anything--to mute the pain and create a false sense of peace. Society has been infected by drug addiction, a disease fueled by a loss of hope. We see it on the news, we watch it online, we feel loss in our communities. This disease is killing our friends and neighbors. Last year alone, over 64,000 lives were lost. That is more casualties in a year than we saw during the height of the Vietnam war. And this is a war, too--a war being fought in the streets and in our homes. And we are losing. Mothers, sons, daughters, and fathers are dying--from the cold streets of major cities to the quiet fields of rural America--we are all feeling the effects of the opioid crisis. What can be done? That is a question I have asked countless law enforcement officials, doctors, nurses, addiction treatment professionals, and community leaders. There is no one solution to stopping the opioid epidemic in this country. This is a man-made disaster. We must face it head on with education and awareness, addiction and recovery services, funding, prescription drug monitoring programs, and prevention. We need to prevent our loved ones from being dragged into the abyss of addiction and hopelessness.…”