My name is William. I am just like every hard working American in this country, except for one thing. I have had an opiate problem for many years. In May of 2015 I sought treatment to overcome addiction. It was a ridiculous process for somebody whose willingness to rid there self of this disease was very strong. Yet I lacked any resources to do so. There are many in-patients treatment centers in my area, but very few will deal with insurance companies that are put in place to help with diseases. Alcoholism and addiction is a disease and should be treated as such. A person can get treatment, insurance provided if they are dying of cancer so why I ask does addiction not apply. I lost everything do to my addiction. I lost material things, family and friends trust, and a respect that normal non- addict Americans receive. I was labeled a junky by society. I am an American and this isn't just my story. There are millions who struggle in day to day life to fight addiction and many don't know how. I was one of those people. I didn't know how and was sick of my life and the way my addiction had me in its grips. I felt lost and hopeless like many who find there self in this position. I was fortunate enough to have a family who wanted me to get better. So they got me in one of the top three treatment centers in America and it has since changed my life drastically. I have a 9yr old son who needs me and without that help I can honestly say that I dont know if I would even be a life. This is an epidemic that is sweeping our nation and it kills more people than car accidents. Why won't our government help fund something for those who want there lives back? My family paid $30000 out of pocket for thirty days of treatment, which is mind blowing!! Doctors prescribed me the meds after a serious injury, but never offered a solution to my newest problem...addiction. Instead they turned there greedy backs on me and left me to turn to street drugs, which took me only further down the rabbit hole. Save our people, save America, save our loved ones. I am one of the fortunate, but just in the last week 5 people have died in my community from fake street drugs that ultimately took their lives. Please read, pass on and let's do something to help America and to ensure our children don't end up in this horrible situation. Through treatment and counseling I am proud to say I am 14 months sober. Others aren't so fortunate. Please congress, president, anybody. ...step up and make this problem go away. Help those in need. Don't turn our backs because it hasn't happened to you yet. People only seem to care or take notice when a celebrity or pop icon dies from this disease. When they die people say poor poor person when somebody like me dies from it it's oh well just another junky. All lives matter and we need to prove this point by taking control of situatuons. Help those in need. Don't stick your nose up in the air and walk by because if you do the next time you see those people or loved ones, it may be laying them to rest in a coffin. I have lost many friends to this disease and I am just one person. There are many others just like me, so please help me get signatures so that we can make a difference and change a serious problem that has went silent for way to long. We have the right to protest and we have the right to change the world. If you set by idly and do nothing then you are just as much part of the problem. Not everyone is as fortunate as me and I want to help those who need help just like I did. I want to use my second chance to make a difference. Thank you for reading and for those who have already signed. God bless and never give up hope. The picture I used for this is my motivation, my son, who needs his father and I need him. I love you Son. You give me strength when I am weak and you give me drive and determination to change the world. I hope my influences on you make you a strong individual that can overcome and conquer. I am very blessed and I thank God everyday!!!