The Oneida County Opioid Task Force has a program providing free naloxone (better known by the brand name Narcan) to the public. Naloxone is a drug that reverses opioid overdoses.

According to an article in the Sentinel, naloxone is available at pharmacies without a prescription, through the mail to businesses or homes, and in over 100 cabinets throughout
the county including some bars and stores.

According to one of the Task Force coordinators, there are 40 more cabinets ordered because “it’s a very popular tool.”

This Task Force was formed to “help combat the opioid epidemic and provide both resources and education to residents.” They have issued statements encouraging people who use street drugs to avoid using them alone and to have naloxone with them.

Enabling this behavior will not solve the epidemic, it will create a bigger problem.

An unlimited safety net at your fingertips is not a way to correct behavior and bad decisions. With an antidote and an encouragement to use in groups as a precaution against the worst-case scenario, why stop?

Alcoholics are not helped by giving out free pain reliever for their hangovers.

This situation with naloxone leads to a rise in overdoses, and most likely the increasing problem with homelessness. “It’s going very well” the coordinator states. Is it?

It would be going well if the number of overdoses and drug related crimes decreased, not an increase in the use and need of naloxone. Shouldn’t the focus be on combating the opioid problem and helping addicts instead of making it easier for people to continue using them?

Where is the sheriff and the county executive in ridding our communities of fentanyl?

Another sign of our tax dollars at “work.”

— Zachary Kotwica, Durhamville