To the editor:

Attending the Missouri Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Days convention (the) weekend (of March 22) as a sophomore in high school at John Burroughs School was truly eye-opening for me. Listening firsthand to leaders like Governor Mike Kehoe, Senator Josh Hawley, Representative Ann Wagner and other statewide officers helped me better understand some critical issues facing our community, especially the growing crisis of fentanyl coming into the United States.

Through community service initiatives around St. Louis, I’ve seen the devastating impact of fentanyl addiction in neighborhoods like North St. Louis, South City and parts of North County. Families in these communities experience heartbreaking losses daily, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue more openly. Sadly, amid other political controversies today, the fentanyl crisis often doesn’t receive the attention it deserves.

Hearing our elected leaders commit to stronger border security and tougher enforcement against fentanyl trafficking gave me genuine hope. It felt good knowing that important people in positions of power recognize the seriousness of this issue and are ready to take concrete action.

I want to encourage my young peers and the wider St. Louis community to join me in urging our representatives to support border security and anti-trafficking efforts. Let’s open up meaningful conversations, learn more about these issues ourselves and help raise awareness in our neighborhoods. By coming together, we can push this urgent crisis into the spotlight and create a safer, healthier future for everyone in Missouri.

Praveen Vissa

Creve Coeur