About every month, County Coroner Albee Bockman updates county legislators on the number of opioid deaths in Sullivan County during the Safety and Law Enforcement Committee. It’s very troubling when we remember that each number represents  not just a life lost but also friends and family that were left behind. 

Contributing to these number of opioid deaths is the persistent presence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.

To see the destructive potential of fentanyl we need look no further than last week’s drug arrests in Port Jervis. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, flanked by the DAs from Sullivan and Pike County, announced that 36 people in three states were charged with drug related offenses following a months-long law enforcement investigation.

Among the sizable quantities of cocaine, heroin and other narcotics seized by police, law enforcement officials also seized some 165 grams of fentanyl. 

Although that probably represents only a fraction of what’s out there on the streets, this seizure surely helped save lives. 

Port Jervis Police Chief Bill Worden said last week’s law enforcement operation helped to dismantle a “widespread criminal organization responsible for the distribution of large quantities of narcotics” throughout the greater tri-state community.

“These arrests underscore our determination to reclaim our streets from drug dealers, and other offenders who endanger the safety of our residents and degrade the quality of life of our communities,” Worden said. 

While we applaud the efforts of law enforcement to go after those who traffic and distribute dangerous drugs that erode communities, we understand that arrests and prosecutions are only one part of wider efforts to confront the opioid epidemic. Also important are our efforts to promote education and ease access to care for those with substance use disorders. 

It has been encouraging in recent months to see law enforcement and health officials working hand in glove, not only targeting drug traffickers to the full extent of the law, but also showing compassion by treating addiction as a healthcare issue. Programs such as Hope Not Handcuffs is a valuable tool that offers treatment options for individuals seeking help to reduce their dependence on prescription medication, alcohol, heroin, or other drugs.

Through the continued and coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals and community organizations, we will turn the tide on this devastating opioid epidemic.