As a nurse, I see overdoses are happening at a record high. Deaths are happening here in Sussex County; however, it is not always made known in the paper or in one's obituary why a young person has died.
Christopher Walls' mom has openly spoken of her son's fight against this disease; he passed away at the young age of 33. He sounded like a wonderful person, a great smile, the youngest out of 6 children.
I remember reading his obituary. Christopher's smile drew me to the obituary. As I read Christopher's obituary a plea, yes "plea" was mentioned for all to get help.
Linda then had the "courage" to write a letter to the editor about hers and Christopher's stories. How heartbreaking to seek help, then to find out, help isn't always available. To be turned away since his symptoms weren't "full withdrawal?"! Calling three days in a row?
Christopher's mom is correct. "These diseases are no different than cancer and terminal disease,..and no one is exempt!"
The editorial view was certainly correct, "if services are cut from social services programs due to our Delaware budget, this will lead to more expensive medical treatment, more heartbreaking funerals, more crime, more incarceration and lastly....more broken families!"
EMS teams now carry the drug Narcan to help save individuals, which has become as standard as carrying monitor equipment, and oxygen.
We all need to reach out to our legislators and to ask for an increase in funding for Health and Social Services.
Mental illness and drug addiction don't discriminate! These diseases affect all walks of life! Let's not get desensitized to this growing problem!
Mary Beth Palkon-Krytzer
Milton
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