The heroin epidemic in the United States is growing rapidly and seemingly unchecked. Since 2010, nationwide deaths from heroin overdose have tripled. In 2014, Pennsylvania was the third highest state in the US with the most opioid overdose deaths!
In the midst of this, the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, John Fetterman has thrown his hat in the ring for the U.S. Senate. He is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat currently held by U.S. Senator Pat Toomey.
The message in one of his campaign videos regarding the current realities of heroin use and addiction are direct and to the point. He refers to addiction as the disease it is and advocates for treatment instead of punitive legal sentences and penalties.
“What would our country look like if 30 years ago we didn’t declare a war on drugs but we declared a war on addiction and treated it like the medical condition that it is?” Fetterman questions in his ad.
We need more politicians to view addiction through this prism. Addiction is a disease and requires real treatment in order for people to recover. Clearbrook is proud to have been providing treatment to individuals suffering from addiction for more than 40 years. We thank Mr. Fetterman for vividly portraying the substantial and very real effects this disease has on the addict and everyone around them.
