Opioid epidemic declaration inadequate to secure necessary funding

Declaring the opioid epidemic as a public health emergency instead of a national emergency is inadequate and, largely, a ruse. The latter would have made funds available to fight this crisis, but instead, again, we have words, not actions from this presidential administration on issues that really affect ordinary Americans.

Tens of thousands of people die each year from addiction. To reignite remnants of the “Just Say No” campaign will further alienate individuals with a substance use disorder and condemn them to untimely and tragic deaths. As a substance use disorder professional, as well as a person in recovery from a substance use disorder, I know that treatment works and recovery is possible. It is a lack of funding and interest that is literally killing hundreds of thousands of people. We need money for medical treatment for this medical disease, and we need it now.

Rosemary Callahan, Northbrook

Put children ahead of gun lobby

I am so relieved that 40 percent of Rep. Jerry Costello’s 50 to 60 weapons will not be banned, now that he has helped to defeat the bump stock gun legislation. Unfortunately, while Costello is representing the gun interests, no one is representing our young people and their right to live a life free of fear and actual threat of gunfire.

I beseech Costello to come to his senses and stand up to the gun lobby to protect our children. He is in a position to become a savior, not a menace to the next generation. Do it! Dick Nielsen, chair, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Justice Ministry of the First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple

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