Overdoses are more than statistics

I want to thank the Post-Gazette for continuing to publish stories that cover the opioid epidemic, such as “Prince Reportedly Died With an ‘Exceedingly High’ Level of Fentanyl in His Blood” by Libby Hill of the Los Angeles Times (March 28, postgazette.com).

If local stories about mothers searching for details of their deceased children’s last days or stories of children left alone while parents overdose do not raise empathy, perhaps stories about people who should have had it all — but still became a statistic — will affect readers. It can be hard to see these people as more than statistics unless we learn to think of them as parents, children, sisters, brothers or even rock stars with exceedingly human problems.

This information is too relevant; in Allegheny County, there were 717 fatal overdoses in 2017. In the past two years, fentanyl has grown to be the drug found most often in fatal overdoses (Overdose Free PA, 2017). What can we do? While we need to tackle the problem at its roots, we also need to deal with the situation now.

Doctors can prescribe naloxone to anyone (Overdose Free PA, 2017); maybe a prescription for naloxone should be a co-requisite to a prescription for an opioid or opioid rehabilitation? STEPHANIE STOUT Whitaker

We welcome your opinion

CPR does not help a person riddled with bullets and bleeding profusely.

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum has disgraced himself and our state by blatantly disrespecting the victims of the Parkland, Fla., shooting. His morally reprehensible comments were made to CNN the day after the historic March for Our Lives. He now says he misspoke. I would encourage him to remember we voted him from office overwhelmingly and recommend he return to an inconsequential and meaningless post-congressional career.

The U.S. has entered a vicious and despicable cycle of these mass murders. Yet again, congressional Republicans have offered their meaningless thoughts and prayers. Time will lapse, more children will die, and more prayers will be offered. Our society has utterly failed to address our obsession with violent weapons of war and the ease by which we can obtain them.

President Barack Obama offered numerous bipartisan solutions, only to have Republicans squash them at every opportunity while filling their campaign coffers with National Rifle Association contributions.

Furthermore, last weekend, U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus completely neglected the historic march in Washington, D.C., and marches in his own congressional district. This is typical for Mr. Rothfus, who has refused to meet with constituents repeatedly.

Shame on Mr. Rothfus. Shame on Rick Santorum. Shame on the NRA. Shame on Republicans. I’m tired of your thoughts and prayers. Much like the students from Parkland, I see this for what it is. JONATHAN DOUDS, M.D.

Beaver

With little notice and no formal farewell, the Irish Design Center on Craig Street in Oakland recently changed owners. Its former proprietor, Paul Carey, retired after 40 years in business.

The Irish Design Center, or “the Irish shop,” as it was known locally, was a charming, inviting — even enticing — space made all the more so by its gracious and savvy owner whose Irish humor was surpassed only by his exquisite taste in Irish tweeds and linens and the kind of gifts that say to the recipient “this is special.”

As a part of the neighborhood, I wish the new owner of the Irish Design Center well; we want our Craig Street shopping district to thrive. But, as a 40year shopper/browser in “the Irish shop,” I find the transition to be bittersweet. It’s hard to say goodbye to such a valued neighbor. B. FERRARO Oakland