Clallam needle exchange clients increase, but number of syringes lent out falls
First of all, a semantic issue: These needles aren't really "lent" out. They're given away. If they do end up coming back, great, fine. But there's no way to assure that they come back. Hence, they are given away.
Anyway...The positive shine put on this situation in this story doesn't have much luster. Christina Hurst, public health programs manager told a couple dozen people dozing their way through a PABA meeting that the local needle exchange program has become more "efficient." Which isn't a bad thing, budget-wise, but the fact remains that the number of people seeking to use this particular shoot 'em up service continues to rise.
In 2014, Hurst said the exchange received 800 repeat visits from about 234 clients in the community who then distributed sterile syringes to about 1722 people. In 2015, the exchange received 865 repeat visits from about 275 clients who then distributed sterile syringes to about 2264 people.
That's a pretty big jump, from 1722 to 2264 people, especially against the backdrop of the small population of Clallam County and the peninsula as a whole. It also almost surely fails to capture or account for all the people using and injecting drugs in Clallam County. And all semantic niceties aside (referring to drug addicts as "clients"), it's clear that the drug problem in Clallam County continues to grow.
Handing out more needles.
Saving enough money to buy new spoons.
(Footnotes of irony: Christina Hurst, now being sent out to tout the needle exchange program, initially spent a great deal of time and energy fighting it, arguing against it. Her lack of concern about drug abuse in Clallam County is no secret. Meanwhile, speaking of abuse, while Hurst may not be a drug abuser herself, she is, in fact, a serial abuser as a manager. She is well known for being harsh, abusive, punitive, etc. with those who have to work under her. She is insecure, petty and vindictive, and has caused a great deal of staff turmoil and turnover in her little area of the County Health Department.)
If these numbers are in fact correct, then that works out to about 3% of Clallam County residents using or addicted to injectable drugs. That's 3% at a minimum. That's some crazy, frightening information to ponder.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that there are a lot of... how shall we say, repeat customers, but no matter how you slice it that's still very depressing news.
DeleteThat's "clients," not customers. Customers implies a transaction that involves an exchange of money. The county just gives the needles away.
DeleteBut not to junkies. No, they give them away to "IV drug abusers."
As always, residents are told how great things are, no matter what.
ReplyDeleteThough I support this program, and others like it from a policy perspective, I agree that it's NOT a great indicator. The title of this piece says it all. Wasted lives, indeed.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the deployment of those anti-overdose epi-pens, too. All because, don't you know, it's another GREAT day in Port Angeles (and Clallam County).
ReplyDeleteNew spoons for everyone! Life is so good here!
ReplyDeleteToo much junkie business. Not enough legitimate businesses. Is the only way to earn a living here selling drugs?
ReplyDeleteDrug dealer, politician-con artist, psycho manager from hell are three career options here.
Delete
ReplyDeleteFrom: "Ed Chadd"
Date: January 14, 2016 at 10:52:54 PM PST
To: "Ed Chadd"
Subject: City of PA petition for civility
From: Norma Turner [mailto:normagene@olympus.net]
As we watch the “civil discourse” disappear at the national level we are also suffering the same affliction in Port Angeles. The discussion about fluoridating the water has devolved into the public input to the council becoming threats, jeers, insults and basically rude behaviors. One of the threats is to put on the ballot to change the way the city is organized, including requiring election of all new council members (a form a mass recall).
Not surprisingly, currently these are the loudest voices being heard. Rather than ask you to attend a city council meeting and endorse a return to civility I am asking you to sign, and get your friends and neighbors to sign the attached message to the council It is not a legal petition, but should be limited to being signed by residents of the city to give the council a message of support.
Contact information is at the bottom of the message – please try to turn them in no later than Tues, Jan 19 so they can be presented at the city council that night.
It is a way for the “silent majority” to be heard.
Thanks
Norma T.
A MESSAGE TO THE CITY OF PORT ANGELES
We, the undersigned residents of Port Angeles, understand that our democracy, from national to local, is based on representative government. The current form of Port Angeles government qualifies it as a “first class” city. We would oppose any change that would disrupt our current form of city government. We further endorse engagement on local issues to be conducted in a respectful manner. We urge all citizens to aspire to be role models to the youth of our city by exhibiting civil discourse in all political discussions.
How does this allow the "silent majority" to be heard, Norma? No, really, how? They don't hear people when they're standing right in front of them, so...How?
DeleteAnd "role models to the youth of our city"? Please. As if anyone under 30 is clocking this. Please.
Norma Turner is another one of those feeding at the trough of public money so certainly she doesn't want to see that gravy train go away. Well Norma this is for you. Your days of manipulating the city council and the county commission are over. We the people have decided to take back our government from greed-heads like you. You pretend to be a leader but you lead back to the way we came which is all knowing elected officials ignoring the people they were elected to represent. When the city council begins to respect the citizens who pay the way then the citizens will show them the respect they deserve. In fact they ARE showing them the respect they deserve. Oh, and by the way, since you are the wife of a doctor and a nurse yourself you are in league with those who have forced this fluoride down our throats. you have no position of authority to be suggesting civility.
DeleteLooks like Dale Wilson is off his meds again.
DeleteDale, while I would agree that Norma Turner is misguided, I don't really see how she's "feeding at the trough of public money."
That just sounds loony. Like someone, well, off their meds. Calm down. Fight Cherie, not Norma.
Speaking of "role models for our youth" how about some council members with some integrity. Brad Collins pawing female city employees, Dan Gase has the ethics of an alley cat in heat, Kidd would sell her mother for higher office and Downie doesn't know where he shit last. Role models indeed.
DeleteIt is important to note that Norma is endorsing an effort created by the same group that sent out all those colorful glossy placards to every mail recipient in the area, city resident or not. The group? "KeepPAHealthy". With Laura O'Neal as the contact person. As before.
DeleteAnd, they are doing telephone surveys, too. A friend who lives far outside the city limits told me of the call they received yesterday. " Do you know about fluoride? Do you support the current City Council? Do you support their removal from office? Have you received our petition in the mail, yet?"
So, is it a "re-do" Tuesday night? New surveys to replace the last one? Petitions for support of this "first class city" in response for them ignoring it's own residents???
Crazier and crazier.
You're all washed up, Norma!
DeleteCheck to see who prospered the most in selling properties to the hospital for their latest taxpayer funded expansion.
DeleteI used to listen to what Ed Chadd and Norma Turner had to say. They present themselves as progressives. But, no more. They are worse than the opponents that are straight up. These sleaze balls make you believe they're working for "the good", but they undermine every effort made.
DeleteThis latest petition reveals this, once again.
Ed Chadd - what a joke! He likes to pass himself off as someone who is worldly and in the know politically, but really, he's just another clueless Clallam County resident who is out of touch and woefully naïve. Not idealistic, just naïve. As in foolish or stupid.
DeleteIt is like this all over the country. We should all thank our government leaders for freeing Afghanistan and allowing the poppy fields to flourish. Wonder if the New World Order includes enslaving people in debt, and then killing them with drugs?
ReplyDelete