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Bill Jones: Be a champion for the Wyoming Valley’s children

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Dolly Parton coming to Mohegan Sun Arena June 22

If you do not watch the news, where it is not even always commented on, you might have missed a very sad reality. Heroin addiction has reached epidemic proportions in Pennsylvania, and Vermont is even higher.The saddest part of this reality is that many people turn to heroin when their prescription for a highly addictive painkiller, oxycodone, has reached a point where it becomes too expensive.I learned from a dear friend that oxycodone was prescribed due to a terrible accident that left a member of her family in great pain, and when the prescription ran out they were so addicted to oxycodone that they, in desperation, turned to heroin, which is much less expensive and can easily be obtained. This explained how perfectly innocent people can become addicts.It is my understanding that there are two other drugs that are far less addictive and, for many people, work just as well as oxycodone. Toradol is a anti-inflammatory drug and can be taken only for five days but works in many situations. Tramadol is an opiate and far less addictive than oxycodone. So I suggest that if you are seriously injured, talk to your doctor and if possible dodge use of oxycodone. If it becomes necessary, be well aware of the dangers and know the consequences of turning to heroin.Annette CorriganJackson Township

Letter to the Editor: If painkiller required, ask your doctor about alternatives to oxycodone