Monday night, Feb. 13, the City Hall council chambers were packed past the lobby and into the courtyard with people fighting to get heroin off our city’s streets.

The solidarity I felt from the community and the City Council to attack this problem as a united front was emotionally moving for so many of us watching and listening to the speakers. There were many tears shed as we heard from recovering addicts, parents who watched this drug take the lives of their children, and many others who have personally been touched by drug abuse. Thank you, Susan Klimusko, for organizing this event.

One speaker reminded us that parents are not solely to blame, as this epidemic is an equal opportunity destroyer. Heroin does not care if you are rich or poor, an “A” student or failing. It is more affordable than prescription medications, and I learned last night a hit of heroin can be purchased for about the cost of a 12-pack of beer!

We heard stories of “A” students falling victim to the addiction. Please do not cast blame on the parents, but help them at this desperate time of need.

I also learned we need to be educated as adults and parents. What are the signs of drug use, what do these drugs look and smell like? What paraphernalia is associated with the use?

Did you know our kids and young adults can buy it at liquor stores? That it only takes once to get addicted?

The police need our help. We need to continue to provide information on where these drugs are sold and forward that information. We need to team up with our children and talk to them. They are our best resources for stopping this. They know who is using and where they get it. Let’s get this information from our children and pass it along to the police. There is even an SVPD hotline number for reporting: (805) 583-6210.

Thank you, Simi Valley, for coming together to address this growing problem. I look forward to a cooperative effort to take back our city, keeping it safe for familes. Josie Hirsch Simi Valley