Our Views: Upcoming Drug Series Will Focus on Clear Picture

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Ask any law enforcement official in just about any location, and you’ll likely hear the same thing. 

Drugs are the epicenter for most crimes, whether you’re in a rural area such as Lewis County or a bustling metropolis such as Seattle or Portland. 

The desire for drugs leads to theft and violence. The acquisition of drugs sparks health issues and still more theft and violence. The struggle to control the market prompts larger-scale issues revolving around everyone from small-town dealers to massive international cartels. 

As a result, millions become convicts and many more become victims. 

What does it mean for Lewis County? What drugs are most prevalent? What are law enforcement and justice officials doing to get a handle on the issue?

The Chronicle will unveil a deep look into the matter in an upcoming series titled Lewis County: Highs and Hopes. The four-part series will begin next Saturday. 

For the past several months, our team of reporters has been working hard to provide a comprehensive series of stories, photographs and graphics that will provide a snapshot in time for an issue as old as the human race. 

There will be extensive data on drug arrests and convictions paired with profiles of Lewis County residents who have faced addiction head-on and conquered it. 

The issue of drugs can be a depressing one, as it seems ever-present and overwhelming to confront. 

We hope tales from those who have faced reliance on everything from alcohol to heroin will be both illuminating and inspirational. 



We can’t pretend it’s not an issue, one that has challenged our relatives and friends and will almost certainly pose problems to our children in the future. 

Lewis County officials certainly aren’t.

There are a number of programs and initiatives underway to take a new approach to an old issue. 

We’ll outline those efforts while painting a clear portrait of exactly what they’re facing. 

Beyond that, we’ll attempt to inform on issues such as confidential informants, seizure of drug-related assets and efforts to combat drug use in schools, where experimentation can lead to a life of pain and addiction. 

As the largest news organization in the Lewis County area, we’ve routinely applied our resources to providing clarity in times of confusion. 

We hope you’ll join us in telling this important story. 

If you’ve struggled with addiction, your story and experiences could help others. 

Consider contacting Editor Eric Schwartz at eschwartz@chronline or (360) 807-8224 to join use providing a clear picture to a complicated issue.