The cause of Paige Berdinis death has been made public. The reason for her death may be a surprise to some, it shouldnt be to most. The use of drugs in this town, as well as many towns across this country, is horrifying. Quite frankly, what someone does in the privacy of their own home is of little concern to me, as long as it doesnt affect you and me. But the truth is that the wide spread use of drugs does affect you and me in one way or another. Unfortunately, the death of Paige affected many of us in a most profound way. For me, it was not because she was a close friend, she wasnt. Nor because she owned a popular restaurant, and not because of her smile or the way she dressed, or her ability to make a good drink. It affected me simply because I know her. It affected me because I walked, talked with, hugged and consoled friends and family who were suffering because of this senseless death, a death which many could have helped prevent were it not for their inability to understand the consequences of drug abuse or their complete impassiveness toward the problem. Im affected by Paiges death because it has made me resentful towards people who are understood to be her "friends".
I saw in the faces of many the obvious sorrow over the loss of Paige, but one could also see an array of emotions from guilt and empathy to apathy and denial. Paiges death brought out these emotions, and as I listened to the eulogies at the funeral and listened to the thoughts of many over the past few weeks, it would seem that people will remember her for her style, her looks and her personality. I hope and pray that this will not be her only legacy. I hope well remember her for opening our eyes, and for having the strength to take off our blinders so that we can end this drug frenzy.
I truly believe this fashion of drug abuse can end when it becomes more important for the individual to stop using drugs, than it does to continue their use. Is the destructive power of drugs, like those that killed Paige and countless others, enough incentive to stop using, selling, and, yes, condoning, by way of indifference, the use of illegal drugs? Or are we going to put our blinders back on, put our heads back in the sand, and continue on this ruinous path. Each of us has to make a decisionit has to be made now. Are we going to do something about this problem or retreat into self pity, detachment and unconcern. And although we should be responsible for our own actions, and held accountable for them, we still have an obligation, as a part of the community, to ourselves and to others to take positive action when the opportunity is presented to us. Are we to wait for the next death to occur before we do something about it? Lets make Paiges legacy one of hope, strength and renewal.
Peter L. Antolini Rehoboth Beach
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7/11/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.