R.I.P.

He would come up to me after his HA meetings on Monday's to shake my hand and give me a hug. He was a joy to talk to and seemed well on his way to beating addiction. And then he was gone to an overdose.

That was Alfredo, and then there was Warren. We had watched the Dawgs together win a National Championship, he was dressed in the jersey of his favorite player and we laughed, cheered and shouted as they went on to victory. A week later he was gone, another overdose. He had a heart condition and was told another episode might kill him. He didn't listen.

Then there was Katie, an absolute beauty who was quiet, but seemed so kind. Another overdose and she was gone. In the Big Book of AA it speaks at how addiction is cunning and baffling. These are just three examples, and so many of you who read this have had personal tragedies as well that are similar.

In 2023 there were a reported 112,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. Let's put that in perspective for a moment. In the Revolutionary War about 6800 Americans died in combat, another 10,000 by disease from war related situations. In Korea 35K soldiers died, In Viet Nam 58K were killed and in Iraq 4,000 as well as 2500 in Afghanistan. In summation almost as many died by overdose in one year than in 5 Wars of many years.

We say war is hell, but how about this war we are fighting internally here in America now on addiction? And the drugs killing us are coming mostly in from other countries, so where is the real war? At ATB, other similar organizations as well as sober living facilities and 12 Step meeting places, we are all soldiers fighting to save lives in a war many want to keep silent about while other war protesters abound.

Be aware, teach your children, love on your spouses and friends to make connections that keep us accountable to each other and most importantly connect with the Lord who can dramatically save lives.

​This is a war we can win, but only with His help and guidance!