The tragedy of Hurricane Helene’s effects in the southeast, the unrest in the Middle East and the seemingly endless rhetoric surrounding the upcoming general election take up a good chunk of the daily news cycle.

With mainstream media focused on world and national events lately, another war rages quietly across the nation, state and region.

A more far-reaching crisis involving illicit drugs touches us all.

From cities across the country to here in the Panther Valley the epidemic is a battle being fought every day.

Last month, in Nesquehoning police arrested a man on several charges in a month-long drug probe, confiscating psychedelic mushrooms, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl among other things.

In another incident, a Lansford man told police after his arrest that he was selling drugs all his life and took a handgun in exchange for illicit drugs.

On Monday, a Lansford pair was charged after a six-month investigation that found drugs where they lived, including drug residue in a bedroom where one of those charged slept with her 10-year-old son.

They’re just three of several enforcement actions that have become common over the last few years.

At the same time, the area celebrated recovery, with former addicts telling their stories in hopes of inspiring others.

Locals took to the streets, too, distributing naloxone, a drug used to counteract the effects of overdose, in hopes of saving lives.

The crisis is a conundrum.

As police pull dealers from the streets, new sources fill those spots and as each user enters a rehabilitation program, it seems that a new person starts using.

A National Public Radio story cited federal estimates that about 108,000 people died from overdose in 2023. Other figures show that more than 4,500 of those victims were from Pennsylvania.

That translated into an overdose death rate of about one every four and a half minutes.

Those aren’t just statistics. They’re our friends, neighbors and relatives.

Adding to that is the financial toll the drug epidemic brings.

When health care expenses, lost productivity and criminal justice costs are considered, the nation’s economy takes a $740 billion hit.

Looking for answers, the state House Republican Policy Committee held a hearing last week in Harrisburg to discuss the crisis, the effects of fentanyl and xylazine, a horse tranquilizer, and ways to fight against the burgeoning epidemic.

Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, a committee member, said important information was gathered about how communities are impacted. He said lawmakers must “act quickly to combat the rapid rise in overuse, misuse and overdose deaths and ensure that law enforcement officers have the tools and resources they need to diminish supply and demand.”

Tackling the crisis can reduce the burden on law enforcement and justice system. Ideally, when police aren’t investigating drug use, they can focus on other things to keep people safe.

At the same time, the community has an obligation to help struggling addicts, recognizing it as a disease and not a character issue.

Promoting programs that offer access to treatment and recovery are an addict’s best shot at a brighter future.

Over the years, we’ve seen some cities decriminalize drug use. Some have even offered programs to share drug related items to stem the spread of disease.

Those attempts, however, met limited, if any success.

Moving forward, battling the drug problem needs to be attacked from several fronts.

First, perhaps, would be to continue and enhance education or outreach programs. Stopping the problem before it starts is a great beginning.

Increased treatment options could help end an addict’s struggle. Making treatments more accessible and less expensive may make getting help more attractive.

When that process starts, stronger support systems can assist in keeping victims sober, put them back into society and shed the stigma of addiction.

Of course, continued vigilance by law enforcement to slow or stop the flow of illegal drugs tops the list until other treatment opportunities take hold. Drug courts that promote sobriety and recovery are valuable options, too.

The fight against illicit drugs isn’t an easy one. Its causes are complex and challenging. But it’s a fight a community can win.

Prioritizing health and well-being and balancing that with adequate enforcement are choices that need to be made.

For an individual, learning to do that is hard.

For a community, learning to do that is harder.

The conundrum continues.

ED SOCHA | tneditor@tnonline.com

Ed Socha is a retired newspaper editor with more than 40 years’ experience in community journalism. Reach him at tneditor@tnonline.com.

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.