Isiah Holmes is a journalist whose work focuses both on issues local to the Midwest and on national issues. He works across media as a writer and videographer, and his written work has appeared in...

Isiah Holmes is a journalist whose work focuses both on issues local to the Midwest and on national issues. He works across media as a writer and videographer, and his written work has appeared in Urban Milwaukee, Milwaukeestories.net, PontiacTribune.com, and TheFihColumn.com, among others, while his documentaries have been featured at the Milwaukee film festival.

Before you read, consider what you know about the heroin and opioid crisis and how you know it. Has the crisis affected you or anyone you know?

As you read, consider how an op-ed — an opinion editorial — is different from academic essays that argue for a position. How does Holmes develop and support his position? What kinds of evidence does Holmes use?