We are ignoring the biggest threat to public health and safety in Idaho. I’m speaking out on behalf of the struggling families and the children trapped in this cycle of addiction.

I meet with Republican families who have lost loved ones to addiction. I meet with Democrat families who have lost loved ones to addiction. This is why I am running as an Independent Candidate for State Representative. I understand how the same challenges affect us regardless of our Political leanings. Dope doesn’t care what Party affiliation you are, if any affiliation at all, it is destroying Idaho lives, families and communities indiscriminately. The War on Drugs is a disaster and has failed the American people! This failed policy is embedded in the criminal justice system. We won’t arrest our way out of it. We won’t shame our way out of it. We won’t politicize our way out of it.

Forget the taboo stereotype of a dirty, street junkie, this opioid epidemic has no stereotype. Your spouse, the clean dresses neighbor, the soccer mom, your church goer friend, your grandparent, our Veterans, professional co-worker or straight A, athlete teenage son/daughter are the stereotype and statistic now. When everyone you talk to, has a loved one or knows of someone recovering from, or addicted to opioids, we have a real epidemic on our hands. Idaho’s opioid epidemic is screaming for our attention. 

I’ve lived through this cycle of addiction, experience loved ones and friends struggle in out the traps of substance abuse. Lost too many to overdose. I am not taking away the blame from individuals who make bad choices in life, but the choices people make in life are from the choices they are given. At least in Idaho we can offer better choices and better supportive resources for recovery. Support our healthcare providers by prioritizing mental health funding, preventative education and taking real legislative action to address cycles of addiction.

As your State Representative I will continue to advocate for families struggling in this horrific cycle by proposing a legislative committee to work with the governor’s task force composed of people who first hand experienced addiction cycles, work in substance addiction programs, abuse counselors, law enforcement, recovery nonprofits, health providers and faith leaders from the community to focus on tackling this complex epidemic. As your public servant I am committed, ready to listen, co-create solutions for the well being of our children, our families & the future of our Great State of Idaho. #ThePeopleFirst #OpioidEpidemic #VoteBabayan #IndependentCandidate #StateRepresentative #TwinFallsDist25 #Idaho