For those of you who missed it, I released an  op-ed (click here to read https://amud.im/30WEAI8) this past Monday that was prompted by 32 overdoses that had taken place in the span of just three weeks, nine of which were fatal while another six left victims in comas. These overdoses crossed all walks of life, involving men and women of all ages from all across the United States, and hoping to find a solution, I called on readers to become part of the answer, sharing my email address.

I had hoped to get a respectable response that would include suggestions for programs that could be implemented by Amudim and offers of support, be it by  volunteering, making a donation or any other way. Never in a million years did I expect to be completely inundated by positive responses and offers of help, and as I write these words, I have already received 700 emaNIS from all over the world plus an additional 200 messages on WhatsApp and social media.

Baruch Hashem, it is clear that we are making progress. That people are aware of the dangers of abuse and addiction and are willing to speak about it openly. That we as a community are becoming increasingly receptive to the idea that it is up to us to help those who struggle with abuse and addiction. And that is amazing.

I made a promise in the op-ed that I would reply to every person who reached out to me and it is a promise that I intend to keep, although it is going to take me some time to make that happen. Given the positive response and the hundreds of offers for help that came in this week, I am continuing the conversation by releasing a second op-ed (click here to read https://amud.im/2LOCxS0) sharing several ongoing Amudim initiatives. We can use all the help we can get if we are going to make a change and I look forward to partnering with you on our existing projects as well as our future initiatives.

Gratefully,

Zvi