Twenty million Americans have an addiction problem; 100 people die from drug overdoses daily, a rate that has tripled in the past two decades.

This country has a problem with addiction. This county has a massive problem with addiction.

So why in the world would anyone want to stop a treatment center that is reaching out to help those tragically trapped in the jaws of addiction?

But that is exactly what the village of Chesapeake seemed to want to do.

At a council meeting in April, village officials objected to a planned addiction treatment house for men by Riverside Recovery Services on Riverside Drive. Their concern was the alleged burden it would place on the village, needing to call out law enforcement.

At its Monday meeting, four of the six members were there to vote unanimously to put a permit fee of $100 for any new businesses that wants to open.

Granted, the village has few sources of revenue. Its former mayor said traffic tickets provide the main stream of income. So first of all why would council want to stop any business coming in with the potential of increased property tax?

But apparently the fee was a not too veiled attempt to keep any other such treatment facilities out of the village. That won’t happen to Riverside Recovery since it won’t have to pay the fee since it is already established.

Those in charge of such facilities are experienced therapists and appreciate the need for such treatment houses to be respectful of the village. So what’s the problem?

Here are people stepping up to the plate to treat an illness. Why would anyone want to fight them?