Central Washington stories show need for opioid abuse answers

“My brother is an addict. I am raising his daughter.”

That is one of the many responses I received when I asked constituents of the Fourth Congressional District how opioids and heroin abuse have affected people in our community.

The responses are eye-opening to the heartbreaking cost of the opioid crisis in Central Washington: “The opioid crisis is destroying my family’s life,” and “my adult child has battled addiction for 20 years after taking post-surgery opioids at 18” are two more responses that are truly a call to action.

Families are struggling due to this epidemic: “Lost brother to her...