Key ingredient left out in opioid battle

As I read The Morning Journal’s Jan. 28 editorial on the opioid battle, I agree that more can be done, but what surprised me more is that the missing ingredient that’s the most important has been left out.

I understand the difference between church and state, but I’ve also noticed that several faith-based programs to battle substance abuse addiction have been the most successful across the country for the past 40 years.

Teen Challenge has been No. 1, and there are also the life recovery programs based in various churches nationwide.

I would guess that about 90 percent of the people involved in the Philanthropic and Community Coalition to End the Opioid Epidemic have never been in an addict’s shoes, just book knowledge. I’ve been clean for over 30 years from drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. And it’s all due to a faith-based program.

Everyone involved in this battle has a job that they want to keep and that is understandable, but the individual must want to stop using to be drug free.

Maybe instead of spending money hiring organizations that are going to recommend different actions and activities, you should ask faith-based research firms for data and findings (free of charge) and then decide on best practices.

People will always have opinions when it comes to religion and politics, but this is about people’s lives and the lives of those in the community. Lou Acosta

Amherst