To the editor:

I am a born-again Christian. My life was only to be a good mother, no drinking, swearing, always church and Bible studies. Praying with my children, letting them see mommy praying every day. For 20 years, I kept God in my life and always felt his love for me and my family.

Being a mother is a gift from God, I now have to teach them how God is real and loving. Now they are grown with their own families. I see how important it was, when I taught them about faith and all the bad influences in the world. Well, how to keep them away from the bad.

Then it was just me and God together. Such a happy and peaceful life, with my family. 

Then I fell as a Christian and made a big mistake. I am close to 60 years old now. “A lot of pain!” I had a friend give me “for my pain,” I thought just a pain pill, one time. And I fell into a coma, and almost died, no brain waves, they found me “no heartbeat.” They saved my life! (EMS)

My point is, I was treated like a drug addict!

Life is so short, I learned much more never to judge.

I’m a good person who loves God, who got “judged” for a “drug addict.” God had the last word. He saved my life to teach about fentanyl. And you never can be too careful. God has a plan for our lives, it’s my job to search for my purpose.

Fentanyl almost took me away from my beautiful children and grandchildren, and husband! So only take what our doctors give us, please, and stop judging victims of fentanyl! 

Arlene DeMattia

Lynn