It’s been a while since I posted a new blog entry and will do my best to change that over the next few weeks/months.
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. I have known many friends and loved ones who have battled addiction in all its ugliness and it seems to be so much more prevalent these days than I’ve ever seen. There are too many heartbreaking stories to count. I posted this on FB earlier this week but the story bears repeating. If you see someone or know someone who is in trouble, reach out to a professional to assist them. There are many good people waiting to help.
Last Sunday night, my girlfriend and I saved some guy’s life. True story. We took the dog for a walk down by the nearby cove and heard a loud snore on the other side of the sea wall. It scared the Hell out of us. The tide was low and this guy was lying on his side with his hands behind his back about half way down the embankment. Had the tide been high he’d have been under water. He wasn’t breathing right and we didn’t bring our cell phones so we headed home and called the police. Within minutes we heard sirens and she walked down to see what was happening. There was an ambulance, firetruck, and police cruiser already on the scene. She told the officer she was the one who called and asked how the guy was doing. The officer thanked her profusely. The guy had overdosed and they brought him back with Narcan. The officer told her she saved his life. There was a couple that had been sitting on a nearby park bench and the officer told her they saw the guy as well but didn’t call anyone.
I’m not telling this story to pat ourselves on the back. I’m just confirming the notion that if you see something, say something. Really. It can save a person’s life. If this can happen in our neighborhood, it can happen anywhere. Addiction issues are very real and everywhere. If you see someone in trouble, please call 911 to get them help! So grateful for the Salem’s emergency services.
Duke of Dead Air 