Our Viewpoint

At the Sanders County Drug Awareness Seminar last week at the Rex Theatre, one thing was repeated over and over: the drug problem is a community problem.

It’s easy to avoid these types of problems. If you don’t have a drug problem and you don’t know anyone with a drug problem, how can it be your problem?

But at the seminar, we heard all the ways that it is everyone’s problem. Taxpayers end up footing the bill for medical services and to feed and clothe people in the Sanders County Jail. And when a meth lab is found in the neighbor’s house, it affects your property values.

A call to action requires everyone to get involved. That’s what the community leaders at the seminar were trying to stress. When we all get involved and take notice of a problem, it makes it harder for drug users and drug dealers to infiltrate our communities.

When we educate kids on the dangers of substance abuse, we help encourage them to be responsible adults, who will hopefully one day get involved and do their part to combat addiction.

The seminar aimed to engage the community. We hope you’ll take notice, get involved, and help make Sanders County communities stronger.