Letters to the Editor | Sept. 28, 2023

They say the simplest solutions are usually the best. Maybe columnist Will Bunch is on to something in suggesting that Taylor Swift and other celebrity entertainers, poets, and preachers can lead us out of our pathetic state of political affairs. Well-meaning politicians are stymied by the cacophony of a few extremists who threaten to shut down the government “for no reason except the nihilistic thrill of it all.” Swift’s call to her followers to get out and vote may be just what we need to salvage our threatened democracy. Perhaps her lyrics are prophetic: “Long story short, it was a bad time ... / Long story short, I survived.” Let’s hope her challenge inspires enough people to bring in a new generation of politicians who can lead us to a brighter future.

John Groch, West Chester, grochjohn@hotmail.com

Our beloved city is in an overdose crisis. Last year, 1,413 people died of overdose in Philadelphia, three times the number of homicides. And the number keeps rising. The previous year, Philadelphia’s overdose death toll was 1,276. Nothing we have tried appears to have slowed down this awful carnage. In the face of this crisis, City Council has just voted to prohibit “narcotics injection” sites in almost all of our city. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier was the sole district councilmember to recognize that her constituents should have the right to consider an approach that has been proven to save lives throughout the world and New York City: overdose prevention centers.

Gauthier did not vote to approve OPCs. Instead, if an OPC seeks to open in her district, it will be for the residents to decide what is best for their neighborhood. OPCs have been in operation worldwide for more than 30 years. And the data show the same results wherever an OPC operates: decreased public consumption, decreased drug-related litter, decreased overdose fatalities, and no increase in crime. In fact, there has never been a fatal overdose inside an OPC.

In New York City, two OPCs have been operating in East Harlem and Washington Heights for almost two years. Those centers have reversed more than 1,000 overdoses, brought 93,000 drug consumptions inside — out of the view of children and ordinary citizens — and collected more than two million units of hazardous waste, which otherwise would contribute to the cascade of litter that comes from having those in addiction inject themselves on the street in open view. Philadelphia needs brave leaders like Gauthier, who consider what it will take to save lives and make the best decisions with the input of their constituents.

Ed Rendell, Philadelphia

The writer served as the 96th mayor of Philadelphia (1992-2000) and the 45th governor of Pennsylvania (2003-2011).

Do you think it’s right that far-right Republicans will act to deny the nation a fully functioning government until their extreme goals are achieved? The threatened shutdown will deprive active-duty military — who put their very lives at risk to protect us — a paycheck. Others whose work we depend on for our daily lives will also go unpaid. But you know who will get paid? The same people who demand that the government shut down. If this situation makes your blood boil, then do everything you can to ensure that these legislators do not serve again on the public payroll. Vote in every election, and make sure your like-minded friends vote, too. Work with organizations to make your voice even more effective. We get the government we deserve.

Meg Berlin, Philadelphia

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