"Every day, more than 115 Americans die after overdosing on opioids." - National Institute of Drug Abuse

I come from a city where almost everyone knows everyone else through just a few degrees of separation. This means we know each other's lives, who gets married, who stays a townie, who gets a good job in the city and unfortunately, who ends up a dope addict.

I used to share very unique experiences with people talking about the various ways addiction has impacted our lives and relationships, but it seems today this point of relation is all too common. It has come to the point where I don't assume that other people may not understand as much about addicts as I do, instead assuming they likely know it all too well.

Now believe me when I tell you I believe people should be held accountable for their actions, and yes using drugs is absolutely a choice, but that doesn't mean the burden lies solely on the addicts. It should be no secret that pharmaceutical companies have pumped dangerous and addictive pills into our healthcare system as a one fits all approach to pain, and lawmakers have stood idly by and let them.

"Pharmaceutical companies spend far more than any other industry to influence politicians. Drugmakers have poured close to $2.5B into lobbying and funding members of Congress over the past decade." - The Guardian

Pretty gross, huh? If you feel as passionately about this topic as me and many other please take action. Write a letter to your government officials to demand affordable access to treatment options. Demand they stop accepting money and bribes from Big Pharma. We have the capability to be the change we want to see in the world.

Head to the house.gov website to find your representative. Or commoncause.org for a list of all the elected officials who represent you.

I don't care what side of the aisle you sit on, look into your representatives and see where their loyalties lie. 2018 can give Americans the opportunity to create change in our government and I don't just mean by voting in Dems. Let's instead vote in a younger generation whose values reflect our own and get rid of these old men who are easily swayed by money.

To anyone struggling with addiction that is reading this, I want you to know:

You are loved. You are valued. Popping pills is not cool. Opioid addiction is an epidemic. These drugs take away innocent lives. Don't let it be yours.

If you or someone you know has trouble with a life threatening addiction, please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and discover what options for treatment are available.