In the pages of this newspaper each week, we strive to tell the stories of people who live here: from their births to deaths and everything in between.

Unfortunately, too often, local lives are disrupted — or ended — because of alcohol and drug abuse.

Each person’s story of how they got to that place is different. But sadly, many narratives share such similar themes: families broken, relationships ruined, jobs lost, time spent in prison, dreams averted and lives destroyed.

Consider this: 75 percent of the arrests in Wyoming last year involved drugs and/or alcohol.

Yet there is hope.

We encourage you to get help if you struggle with substance abuse and addiction. It can’t simply be a New Year’s resolution that is uttered on Friday, because chances are, it won’t last for a few weeks, much less until February.

Instead, it’s a decision you must believe in — and be ready to seek help and support to get through it.

Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous groups meet throughout the week in Powell. For meeting schedules, see the Classifieds section on Page 12 of today’s edition. Call NA at 307-213-9434 or AA at 764-1805 or 254-3267.

The Northwest Wyoming Treatment Center recently released glowing lanterns into a dark December sky to symbolize lighting the way to recovery. The lanterns also helped spotlight an important message: People who struggle with debilitating addictions can recover.

We’re also thankful for local efforts underway to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.

Earlier this year, the Park County Coalition Against Substance Abuse and West Park Hospital’s Prevention and Wellness office launched a campaign aimed at telling local students the truth about drug and alcohol use.

According to local surveys, most students in Powell and Cody — 81 percent — do not drink alcohol in a typical month. Most local students — 94 percent — do not use marijuana. And an overwhelming majority — 98 percent — do not abuse prescription drugs.

Rather than using scare tactics, which campaign leaders say are ineffective, it also educates local youth about the risks and side effects of substance abuse. For more information, visit www.mostdont.org/.

These kinds of efforts are important and worthwhile. So often, making bad decisions with drugs and alcohol leads to many other issues. It’s an everyday problem that affects people from all walks of life.

Going into the New Year’s weekend, we want to remind residents how important it is to get a designated driver and not to drink and drive.

Yes, it’s a message you’ve heard countless times. But as long as drunk drivers continue to get behind the wheel, it’s one we’ll still repeat.

Because there are some stories we don’t want to keep telling.