Help to defeat heroin problem

To the editor:
I don’t pretend to know anything about heroin but I know more than I ever wanted to and it’s destroying many people and families in our area.
You can say the heroin addict had a choice the very first time they used but from what I understand after the first choice the heroin takes over the brain and then it’s a disease.
You can say you don’t know an addict, but your kids do or your grandkids do.
You can say you’re ashamed to admit to anyone else your son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter has a problem but that’s for you, not for them.
It’s time for the community to get involved, if for no other reason to protect the younger generation from falling into the trap.
Right now I know of Celebrating Recovery, Jay-Randolph Stand Against Heroin and A Better Life — Brianna’s Hope. I know Brianna’s Hope has paid (with a little help from its friends) for 42 people to go to detox and have a weekly meeting for continued support.
It’s really important if you know a recovering addict to let them know how proud you are of them, it could make a difference on their continuing success and ability to help others.
The addict destroys themselves and puts their family through hell, the recovering addict can finally see what they were and what they did to the people who love them and are working on rebuilding trust.
Not all addicts that go to rehab stay clean but their chances are better if they have people who believe in them. Don’t believe for one second you can love and support them enough to stay clean, they have to find that in themselves.  
Donate your time or if you can, donate your money so funds are always available for the next person willing to make the first step.
We have seen what ignoring the problem has done; it’s time we let people know that if they are willing to ask for help we’ll help them find it.
Cindy Carter
Portland