To the editor:
Herein is a proposal to counter the opioid epidemic in Brown County, in three parts:
Part 1: Hub-Safe Haven Initiative.
Create one to two (or more) “hubs” per township (United Way 211 structure) to connect to “safe haven” spots.
Create “safe haven” spots (where the addicted can receive treatment).
Two “types” of “safe haven” spots: known to general public and unknown to general public. Known “safe haven” spots: Here, offer amnesty and safe haven to those who will inform (rat) on dealers. Move these (informants) around to other (unknown) safe havens as needed.
Conclusion: While the addicted receive treatment, they may also stay safe as law enforcement and others track down dealers.
Part 2:
Create teams of citizens/non-uniformed, deputized citizens (two or more) to constantly, in shifts, patrol (hang out at local bars to observe and report suspicious activity among patrons).
Patrol streets of Nashville at night; set grids in coordination with town police.
Use innkeeper’s tax to fund a campaign urging tourists to stay off the streets after a certain time of night in Nashville.
Conclusion: After a period of constant citizen patrol, there will be the effect of having pushed dealers and traffickers to the outlying county, thus making it difficult for county traffickers and dealers to establish new contacts in Nashville. This action would also have the effect of drawing more Brown County citizens to Nashville, making it a fine meeting place once again, for citizens, after they realize there are no longer any such despicable and potentially dangerous people about our town “cutting deals.”
Part 3:
Once traffickers and dealers are pushed to the outlying county:
Patrol and set up roadblocks at each road entrance into the county. Citizens and law enforcement personnel provide manpower for this action, as well.
Deploy more undercover agents from citizenry.
Become a more mindful and observant neighbor. Form neighborhood watch groups as you can.
Conduct Bible study and other similar activities (or simply hang out around an open fire on church grounds at night) in order to report suspicious behavior in church parking lots.
Find a hunter or two who doesn’t mind sitting in the “woodwork” for a time close to churches. (Don’t shoot, of course, unless they are coming at you.)
Overall conclusion:
These actions taken would stop the opioid epidemic in Brown County eventually. These actions require personnel, cooperation, effort, heart, faith, and (hopefully) as little steel as possible. If these actions are not taken, expect more thwarted efforts and misery. Some of us would continue to take actions to fight on. Some of these actions may become necessarily drastic.
As you consider this proposal, keep in mind that it is perceived to be the most peaceful course available to us.
Next, we will discuss the varied but few perspectives (philosophy) on the opioid epidemic and criminality in general, what science actually has to offer us, and a realignment of certain official resources (away from tourism/housing developments for outsiders) and toward supporting Brown County citizens who both require and need those resources.
John Douglas, Nashville
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