The numbers are startling.

Fifty-three people in Terrebonne last year lost their lives to drug overdoses. In 29 of those cases, the overdose was of some form of opioid.

And, of course, they are tragic. Local people hear about the national scourge of opioid addiction, but we have only recently become entangled in its grim reality.

“Fifty-three people lost their lives because of drugs,” said Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said. “That’s way too many. The users are killing themselves. If all these people are dying can you imagine how many of them aren’t dying but are abusing their bodies and wind up at the hospital for a drug overdose?”

The numbers, though, are also powerful because of the upward trend they represent.

The 53 lives claimed last year is nearly three times the 18 that occurred in 2016. And the 29 that were due to opioids was more than double the 14 who were lost in 2016.

By contrast, Terrebonne Parish saw just two homicides last year. But murders tend to grab more room in our collective attention.

Still, opioid addiction is a deadly and growing problem right here in our local communities.

The numbers are frightening and heart-breaking. But perhaps they are a wake-up call for many of us who have been slow to recognize the trend for what it is.

If you or someone you know is using opioids or, for that matter, any illegal drug that poses a threat of death, seek help.

Breaking the grasp of addiction is not easy, and it requires the cooperation and participation of the person wanting to change. But getting away from these deadly drugs can save your life or the life of someone you love.

Larpenter has some poignant words of warning for those of us who are tempted to look the other way when confronted with these issues.

“Some people do drugs their entire lives until they get that final high, and that’s the high when they keel over and the coroner pronounces them dead. When they mix these deadly drugs the only high they’re going to find is in a graveyard.”

That is strong language, but it is appropriate in assessing the cruel toll this large and growing problem is taking from us.

Let’s each resolve to do what we can to reverse the trend, save lives and get people back on the path to safe and healthy living.

 

Editorials represent the opinion of the newspaper, not of any individual.