Back in January, Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern mocked Governor Kasich during a speech he made about fighting drug addiction in Ohio, and was even criticized by the Drug Free Action Alliance.
These aren’t low level operatives. This is the top leadership of the ODP making fun of an effort to keep kids off of drugs.
This was a completely classless act, and they should apologize.
3BP asked the Drug Free Action Alliance for a response. Executive Director Marcie Seidel emailed us this statement.
The point that concerns me is that at the event, 2 parents had the great courage to share their heartbreaking stories about losing their children to drugs and a young man bravely shared his difficulties of being in recovery from heroin.
The substance abuse problem is deadly serious and these heroic people stepped forward in an effort to help shine a light on this epidemic and move Ohio to positive change.
The tweet struck me as disrespectful to these individuals and all individuals who are either personally or have family members struggling with substance abuse and drug addiction.
More than 8,000 youth ages 12-17 take their first drink every day. More than 4,000 youth ages 12-17 use an illicit drug for the first time every day. And more than 2,500 youth ages 12-17 misuse prescription drugs every day.
This is a deadly serious topic that doesn’t belong in political bantering.
Yesterday, the Fitzgerald campaign doubled down and still thinks the governor’s passion for this issue is a big joke. In response to a Dispatch article from Alan Johnson, Fitzgerald staffer Lauren Hitt mocked the governor’s speech again.
Remember kids, @JohnKasich says the drug alligator will even follow you to your basement…http://t.co/1Dporq0fLM
— Lauren Hitt (@LaurHitt) April 29, 2014
Heroin addiction isn’t a laughing matter, Ed. While the governor partners with parents and schools to address this issue, your staff probably shouldn’t be making fun of it.
