By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht

The shocking statistics of fatal heroin overdoses being reported on the front pages of our local newspapers increasingly reflect the heartbreaking scourge of drugs and opioid dependency so prevalent today coast to coast of this great country.

The alarming statistic of 888 heroin-related deaths that is anticipated by the end of 2016 within the state of Connecticut as stated by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is a wake-up call to every parent, member of the clergy and educator that we must reach out to help those most vulnerable before it is too late.

As mentioned, the menace of opioids, crack cocaine, heroin and anything laced with fentanyl has taken the lives of too many young people for us to continue to remain passive.

Recently, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy and Congressman Jim Himes, both of Connecticut, took part in a panel discussion at Fairfield University, at which Fairfield University student Will Cromwell spoke of his two high school classmates from New Canaan who died from drug overdoses.

Drugs do not differentiate amongst its victims. Inner city youth as well as those from affluent communities are increasingly falling victim to drug addiction and fatal overdose.

What can we in society do about this? What advice can we as responsible adults give to prevent this dangerous malady from spreading to even more vulnerable people?

As we correctly protest violence in all of its forms – including the proliferation of assault rifles, and online and social media bullying – we are losing the battle to protect our young people from the dangers of opioids silently collecting and culling so many of our young citizens for the killer called drugs.

What value or principle in life are our young people missing in their upbringing and education that makes them susceptible or willing to take a chance on illegal and dangerous killer drugs?

As a parent and grandparent, serving in the clergy for nearly 40 years, it is apparent to me that many people are looking for meaning and value in their life and they have difficulty identifying what they really need to feel fulfilled. Without feeling fulfilled many are tempted to resort to the temporary but life-threatening high of drugs.

Even those with a good primary and high school education and college background are vulnerable to experimentation with drugs and other destructive activities. Although they may have a lot of information and knowledge about the world they live in, they have little if any information on the intrinsic value of their inner existence and the spiritual meaning of life.

Granted, faith and belief in the Creator is no warranty or guarantee of warding off the lure of drugs. However, faith and trust in a higher being is demonstrably and quantitatively an effective and valuable tool to protect one from the allure of illicit drugs and its charms.

I know that one of the most effective and important values we can share with our young people is that the Creator of the universe creates every human being with a spiritual purpose. Faith and religion are what convey and share the “why and purpose” of life.

If we can mainstream the value of faith in the Creator back into our conscious lives and not relegate it to an occasional observance, our youth would come to know, believe and understand that their lives have a higher spiritual purpose.

That their own existence and wellbeing is both a privilege and an obligation for safekeeping and protecting. They will be able to see that drugs are a mortal enemy to their spiritual existence and anathema to their responsibility as human beings who, as part of their relationship with their Creator, are entrusted to protect and enhance their well-being.

It may very well be quite a compelling time for society to reconsider the banning of all expressions of faith in our schools and to reintroduce the moment of silence or non-denominational prayer into our schools and universities, thus helping to make the lure of drugs less appealing and life more meaningful and purposeful for all.

Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht is spiritual leader of Beth Israel Synagogue of Westport/Norwalk and president of the Rabbinical Council of CT.