Tuesday, July 11, 2017

The Narcan Debate -- How Many is Too Many?

"Jane, you ignorant slut."

Each week the Dayton City Paper newspaper runs a section entitled the Debate Forum. It has proved to be one of the more popular sections of the paper -- in fact, I've been told by some readers that it's the first (if not the only) section of the paper to which they turn each week.

The premise is simple: each week the editorial staff chooses one timely and somewhat controversial topic to address, a topic which lends itself easily to two diametrically opposing points of view. Forum moderator Sarah Sidlow writes a "center" piece which introduces that central question and describes how people on either side of the topic might feel, then two writers step in and, with 800 words each and the weekend to work with, they try to explain and defend their opposing points of view. Usually, though not always, one writer is very much a left-leaning liberal, while the other is a more right-wing conservative. The writers are chosen by the paper's editor-in-chief, Amanda Dee, and -- in my opinion -- she generally chooses writers she feels are passionate about the week's topic, and have a well-defined opinion on the central debate question.

I participate in the debate forum as often as possible. (Hey, I'm a working stiff just like you, and those kids need new fidget spinners). Also, as you might imagine, my work tends to appear on the left side of the page.

This week, the debate question was exceedingly simple: "Are Municipalities Obliged To Respond to Repeat Overdose Victims?"

Check it out, if you're so inclined, by clicking HERE and comment if you can. The editors love feedback from our readers, even if they're not from Dayton. 

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