Leave our options open for containing state’s opioid crisis

For some the America of the 1950s and even today was and is monochromatic — consisting of one color.
Others still see it only as black and white, in every sense of the phrase. That is, a land without options or few to choose from. But that world of strict uniformity and absolute solutions died long ago and was replaced by one of scads of choices and options.
For many today, though those options may present hard choices — a dilemma in disguise — they still allow for the best responses.
Last week, Morgantown’s City Council met in a work session to iron out some details about a proposal to place sharps containers near downtown.
Sharps boxes are medical waste containers designed to hold instruments with sharp edges such as used needles.
Though discussion began on this proposal in November it appears these containers will soon become a fixture at certain locations.
We applaud City Council, the city police department’s chief and Milan Puskar Health Right’s executive director for advancing a modest proposal that can only help to ensure public safety.
Safely disposing of used needles in these containers, despite our concerns and disapproval of the behavior behind these used needles, is the best option available for mitigating the threat they pose.
Yet, there are still those who continue to think we can criminalize or police our way out of today’s reality, whereas public sharps containers and needle exchange programs foster further solutions.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice assured us he apparently knows only how to lead in reverse.
We can almost understand his self-interest in his family’s fortune by insisting coal is an answer to our state’s economic woes. But we’re a little perplexed that he would still believe we can defeat the opioid crisis with more police, i.e., his proposal to create a Narcotics Intelligence Unit, at a cost of $1.9 million.
Not to be outdone by the governor, Sen. Eric Tarr,
R-Putnam, weighed in on Friday with Senate Bill 286.
The purpose of this bill is to prohibit creation of syringe exchange programs and close existing ones. Morgantown’s needle exchange program was launched in late 2015.
Not to mention, SB 286 provides for civil penalties not less than $500 or more than $25,000 for violations.
Sounds like another instance of damn the facts — the reality — and full speed ahead on prejudice and ignorance.
Today’s opioid crisis does not exist in some alternative reality, but one we face on city streets and rural roads daily.
It won’t be solved by those wishing to return to the 1950s or to criminalize drug addiction.
The solution is no red or blue choice, either. Indeed, we must fear no colors.