Time to fight heroin beyond law enforcement

These are but the most recent heartbreaking headlines for the families and friends of loved ones, telling a frightening story of powerful drugs. This is the unvarnished truth:

Larry Dean Simpson, found dead in a Manatee Circle K bathroom, was a heroin statistic. Bobby Lee, an overdosing addict, was dragged into a Bradenton street to die. Brian Miller, 45, died of a heroin overdose on his mother's toilet. These three new stories as told in the Herald illustrate the more dramatic and disturbing views of heroin addiction in our county.

There were more than 81 people confirmed deaths from heroin and fentanly overdoses this year than last in the Manatee County. That's double from 2014. Let us repeat that: double.

But Manatee victories on the turning back the heroin flood are admirable thanks to law enforcement. Drug seizures soared this year, from almost 2,400 grams of herion -- up from a bit less than 300 grams last year. The MSCO credits the public for some of that success, and we welcome that. Society must pay attention and deal with the heroin and drug scourge in a substantial way.

This belongs on lawmakers, too, who cannot pay political lip service to substance abuse when communities an families are devastated by addiction. That philosophy dates back to the now discredited but widely popular slogan of "Just say no." A drug addict cannot just say no.

Illicit and prescription drug abuse has created a staggering public health crisis. Communities need to get out front on this and quit working on the back end. Manatee County holds the horrible distinction of being the worst in Florida for heroin deaths, though the numbers are dropping.

The state must help, moreso than in years past when funding for mental health and drug addiction services amounted to next to nothing. Florida's disgraceful ranking in funding for mental health care, second to dead last in the nation, impedes life-saving addiction treatment.

Lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott are showing signs of addressing behavioral health and addiction treatment by talkling about increased funding. Centerstone Behavioral Hospital, formerly Manatee Glens, is the primary Manatee County mental health treatment facility that receives state and federal funds, and additional resources are vital toward fighting heroin addiction and substance abuser.

Manatee County is not alone with an overburdened mental health care system. The lack of resources to serve addicts seeking help -- with a constant waiting list at Centerstone -- contributes to our growing crisis.

This is not a new message. This is an annual one. Tallahassee should come to grips with a human condition that cannot be ignored but must be treated in a humane way.

This story was originally published January 3, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Time to fight heroin beyond law enforcement ."