Celebrate liberty from addiction

To the editor:

This week we celebrate the 242nd “birthday” of the United States, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Families and friends will gather for barbecues. There will be fireworks. Those who have fought and continue to fight for our freedoms will be honored.

As a nation, we will wear our independence proudly.

But our Independence Day did not just simply happen. Nothing that good comes easily. War, great effort, perseverance and sacrifice were required to achieve that lofty goal. Neither is our continued independence guaranteed. We continue to work, struggle and fight to maintain our freedoms.

Our efforts continue to pay off.

Perhaps this Fourth of July will be a great day for those individuals and families in our community that struggle with substance abuse and addiction to declare their own personal independence day. Illicit substance abuse and addiction tax physical and psychological health, interpersonal relationships, finances, the ability to parent, employment opportunities and the actual liberty of those incarcerated.

A recent state-wide study has revealed that, of the cases where children are removed from homes by the Department of Child Services, nearly 55 percent of the removals are because of issues surrounding parental substance abuse. There can be no benefit from illicit substance abuse that justifies these costs.

And for those who decide that they’ve had enough, their sobriety isn’t guaranteed either.

They too will have to continue to struggle, persevere and sacrifice to make a better life for themselves and the people they love. 

The Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition is a group of lay and professional people, all dedicated to the idea that our entire community should be free from the oppression brought on by substance abuse and addiction.

We applaud those who have declared independence from their addictions and are working to maintain their new and better life. We offer information and support for those family members who are impacted by the substance abuse and addiction of a loved one.

I encourage those afflicted people and families to reaffirm their goals of life, liberty and real happiness.

Have a great Fourth.

Judge Brian D. Hutchison

Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition