Editor, The Smithfield Times:

On April 3, I watched Fox News report on the amount of fentanyl being smuggled into the United States and the number of deaths associated with this drug. I have also heard and read about this illegal drug being mixed with other illegal drugs and the “victim” not being aware of this mixture before taking them. 

I have listened to the U.S. government, parents, siblings, school officials and others lament that drugs killed X many children, teenagers and adults. Nowhere have I seen/heard that the victim was involuntarily forced to take the drug. Therefore, I conclude that fentanyl and or the mixture was voluntarily taken. 

Now, we live in a “free” society and have certain inalienable rights, which include decision-making. When one makes a decision, one is responsible for their own actions. Instead of blaming the deaths on drugs, maybe, just maybe, we as a society should concentrate on families raising children to a different set of values and individuals’ responsibility to protect themselves in regards to illegal drugs.  

 

Ray Baxter

Windsor