I am grateful for your eye-opening reporting on the fentanyl crisis, “When One Pill Can Kill: Fentanyl Crisis Hits Home.”
As we allocate resources to address this issue effectively, let us not neglect Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in our schools and city.
As a scoutmaster and parent of two teens, I’ve seen how these programs work to prevent tragic outcomes, including suicide. Students try suicide eight times more often when they experience rejection from their families or peers; DEI promotes awareness, understanding and empathy that saves lives — and families.
The scouts and scouters in our troops have started to wear the Inclusive Scouting knot on their uniform to signify their commitment to bring scouting to all youth regardless of sexual or religious orientation. Our high school’s “safe space” posters, placed by the students themselves, send the message that bullying and disparagement are not acceptable. And recently our churches have started to fly the rainbow inclusivity flag as a reminder that God promises to look out for every living creature.
Even if some children never directly engage with these programs, knowing that they exist and that they are supported sends a powerful message of safety and protection. Statistics show that we have hate crimes and suicides right in our community — let us prioritize the expansion of DEI programs alongside our efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis so that every child feels valued, accepted and protected.
Jim Reifsnyder-Smith
La Cañada Flintridge
First published in the July 27 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
