Chapter one: Small town
"It sure has to be one of the biggest issues in our town today." Rich states at a press conference. "Our youth and young adults falling victim to the most common addiction causing death in today's society"
"Why is it that our communities are quick to incarcerate anyone with addiction problems instead of rehabilitating?" a young member of the press asked. Sissy wasn't just a nickname but an actual name on her birth certificate.
You could tell the man given the speech and answering questions didn't come from a family where addiction was an issue. You could see how uncomfortable he was with the line of questioning.
"Well, as I understand it, local facilities housing the inmates have been doing what they can to help with any an all needs of the addicts. I have not personally had any encounters with addicts or addiction. So, I will further research, investigate, and assist in the ways in which we are dealing with such issues." Said local police chief.
Before he even got another word out, sissy, let out a rude "ha ha ha, oh boy, here we go again, another person of our community leaders lying to us." She doesn't stop there either.
"Excuse me?" he asked with a look of confusion on his face.
"Please don't act like we are a bunch of idiots here in the press please." Sissy exclaimed "All you community leaders act surprised when we encounter anoth3 young death. When in reality the statistics speak for themselves. This being said I could stand here all day and talk to you about addiction, causes of, people it has affected, and even ways to help treat these people. Did you know a large portion of addicts, well heroin addicts, are that due to long term prescription drug use for pain. usually caused by see kind of accident?"
Looking annoyed another member of the local police force stated "we can stand here all day and discuss this but that is not why we are here today ma'am"
"It's not?" she asked.
"no, it's not" police chief stepped back in to say. " We are here to get the communities help in trying to get some information as to where and who is providing the local youth with any narcotic."
"Oh, you think a press conference is the best way to do that?" sissy asked. Looking around the room she is in amazement that no one else is asking questions about the issue at hand, the bigger picture, not being addressed.
"Maybe not but it's a start." said a women's voice coming from the last row up on the stage.
Everyone looks, no one can see, who exactly it was that made that statement. Watching close as a younger women stands up and slowly walks to the podium.
Yes it is a start, but not even slightly in the right direction. Furthermore, this is no the way to get people in community to help. This is just a set up. A way for law enforcement. to gain possible information without the confidentiality of being a snitch." Sissy stated and now she's red because she is pissed of that this teenage looking women is now putting her two cents in when it wasn't wanted.
"Hello," the new lady said "I am sure no one know who I am as of yet. I am a new community leaders of sorts. I am the new public defender for the county."
"and?" sissy stated
" well, you see my goal as the newest public defender is to contribute my knowledge of many different issues and ways to minimize incarceration and or deaths."
" how u plan to do that?" sissy still being rude asked.
"My name is Angie" with a smile she continued. "I have many ideas and I am currently looking for new members for my task force if you will on the fight well fights being multiple fights in our community. If your interested or at least would like to voice your opinions please come to the community meeting tonight at town hall."
" well I will be there for sure and so won't many community members." sissy said finally starting to calm down. "But dont t ofhink for one second I am going to not voice all of my opinions. Also, maybe the police chief and members of the police force should attend this meeting. They all could stand to learn some empathy towards a lot of the issues this community faces. As well as some knowledge such as statistics including that of deaths caused from over dosing whether intentional or accidental.
"Every member of the police force except those on duty will be required to attend." stated he police chief "you have my word"
Sissy rolled her eyes and turned an walked away. She thought to herself yeah right. Like that's really gonna happen. All these hot headed men show up to discuss how to help addicts.
Police chief enters the precinct returning from the news room. Everyone could tell it didn't go well by the look on his face and the way he walked.
"Well, how did your first press conference go sir?" Dana asked. She was about half the size of the police chief. standing about 5 foot nothing, 90 pounds soak and wet, and her blue eyes and blonde hair made her more beautiful than any other women he had met.
"horrible, it was horrible." he exclaimed. Looking down at the floor to not let her see how disappointed in himself he was. "Who is Sissy? Also, I need a memo to go out asap to every officer not on duty to attend a meeting tonight at the town hall. Make sure you send it out over the radio for those currently on duty too. It is mandatory that everyone shows up."
"ok?" she looked back at him concerned with his tone. "What if any will the repricaution be for not showing up?"
He looked at he as if she had ten heads. Thinking to himself no one should have the audacity to no show up.
"Well, I had not thought about it as no one should disrespect me by not showing up. I also insist that you are there to take notes on anything being discussed and any mentions if he police forces responsibilities in helping the community with the issues at hand." He said. "Do you understand? Do you have anything else to ask? If not you may leave for lunch now because I need you to help me with some points of discussion and ideas to help."
she felt her cheeks getting red. She was not sure if she was angry or embarrassed.
"Yes sir, and no nothing more to ask I will go grab lunch and get right back to get started on our newest project." she turned and walked away.
He was so annoyed with himself at how he handled all situations he has encountered since becoming police chief. He never thought in a small town like this he would have to deal with all the same issues as he did in the big city. Only difference is here everyone knows everyone and you are either on one side or against them.
ring ring ring
Sissy looks at her phone and immediately pulls over to answer it. There are two people in the world that mattered to sissy and one being her older sister. only a year older but whenever they are together you can feel how close they are.
she answers the phone with a sharp tone "What is it that you want now"
click her sister hung up the phone. Sissy shook her head and tried calling back with no answer. She headed right to her house.
