Oftentimes when thinking of societal issues, our minds dart to subjects such as inequalities, healthcare, and housing. However, one of the biggest issues of our lifetime hides from the public eye behind all the flashy protest signs and billboards. It lurks within the depths of our towns with its presence known everywhere, yet ignored all the same: the devious societal ill known as drug abuse.

The use of drugs has been an issue society has been battling for years, though many fail to realize just how prevalent drug use is. Within New York, drug use has increased dramatically with the influx of hardships brought on by COVID-19. Now, more than ever, drug abuse has returned to the forefront. Thousands have found themselves plagued by addictions’ suffocating hands. As much as people want to live their lives, they feel themselves trapped without any hope for escape.

What might originate as a catch all cure for anxiety and depression becomes a force in need of its own cure. It is common for the victims of this disease to dip their toes into the murky waters of drug use with substances to numb their pain. This comfort is fulfilling for a time, though it is only the beginning of a downward spiral that often ends with unbearable consequences. Eventually the desire for something stronger awakens, evolving and escalating until there is no possible hope of turning back. Those who are able to recognize their own mistakes undergo the torment of guilt and shame. Yet, those suffering from addiction still wade through the thick swamp of drug use, furthering their own destruction. For any change to occur there must be a catalyst.

This destruction not only impacts the user, but trickles down to everyone they may interact with. Families especially are affected, not only because they witness firsthand the brutal repercussions of addiction their loved one is enduring, but they also may have to make their own sacrifices to accept this drug related behavior. Children growing up in this environment of drugs know no better than to normalize the use of drugs, which could potentially put them in the same dangerous situation as their loved ones. The cycle of drug use continues on and on, its consequences continuing to afflict our society without fail. One catalyst strong enough to influence the minds of those within our community has been the campaign put together by the Town of Montgomery. For any impactful change to occur, there must be a catalyst such as this to make a long-lasting change.

With just a few public service announcement videos, drug use survivors are able to share their stories. These brave members of our community provide insight into the real fight many have been forced to engage in against the warrior of drugs. Educating our community is how we fight off this warrior. We beat this disease through loving, caring and by recognizing that we, or our loved ones, need help.

This fight cannot be fought alone; support and guidance are the building blocks to recovery. Addiction should not have the power to rob thousands of families from the ones they love. These endless stories of pain and eventual victory only demonstrate how necessary it is that we reach out and take the hand of those who may be struggling. We must continue to reach out for the hands of our loved ones and neighbors because there may be one day when that hand is no longer there to hold.

Haven Partington is an intern in the Montgomery Town Supervisor’s office.