Thank you for taking the time to document and share this, Anonymous. The delivery motorcycle is routinely parked next to Tumwater Creek, near the bridge off the truck route (on County-owned land). Local residents see what’s going on. Unfortunately, our leaders continue to look the other way while funding policies that perpetuate our local drug haven.
The same stories about the harm that harm reduction has caused is happening EVERYWHERE. It certainly can’t be maintained. The question is, how soon will the pendulum swing back to a common sense and “evidence based” approach? The pictures supplied is evidence that there is abuse of a system that is not working, and has been a problem since inception.
Nov 15, 2023 These mayors (and their councils and, in some cases, state legislatures) pursued and adopted radical policies and legislation that allowed the fentanyl crisis to hit historic records. We saw DEFUNDED POLICE, effectively legalized drugs by refusing TO ENFORCE DRUG LAWS, prosecutors GO EASY ON THOSE THAT DID END UP GETTING ARRESTED, and similarly PERMISSIVE HOMELESS POLICIES.
Harm reduction does the opposite of reducing harm
Amber Tejada with the Hepatitis Education Project responded, then added that it’s not about getting addicts off their drugs. They seek to “FACILITATE AND CHAMPION” drug use under the belief that ADDICTS SHOULD BE FREE TO CONTINUE USE.
That is the true philosophy behind Peoples Harm Reduction Alliance(PHRA) the agency that pushed the current harm reduction approach on the west coast and some other cities. The lead staff person at Clallam HRHC during the covid /expansion years (Lisa Al Hakim) came from PHRA and returned through the revolving door to an executive position there after leaving CC.
Pictures don’t lie and these photos tell the story of Clallam County’s failed policies. “Harm reduction” is a public health philosophy with no comprehensive data linking to specific metrics other than 78% of overdose survivors engaged with services with paramedic intervention, and 3% success rate for engagement without the paramedic team on scene. ClallamCounty’s overdose fatality rate went from the second highest in Washington State (71 per 100,000) to the eleventh highest as of March 2025 (no numbers yet). Are we winning yet??
Thank you, Jeff, and thank you to Anonymous for submitting the photos. The Asian American business owner is my best friend and she can tell you some wild stories about what happens in the parking lot across the street, who has come barreling in to her business swinging at her and her husband, who has come in pleading for food or drink, who has defecated in her doorway, who is shooting up on the side of her building etc.
You describe government action fueled by misplaced compassion.
The far east government in China is getting revenge on the world for the opium wars. They have a long memory.
I am saddened that what you describe in this article is not continuous front-page news in our local professional newspapers. I doubt most people even want to acknowledge this disaster that is happening in front of our eyes.
Thank you anonymous for this documentation. It’s just like I said about a month or so ago that these harm reduction kits don’t do a damn thing to help these people except further their drug use and deface our once beautiful town. A picture is worth 1000 words.
Who in there right mind being a tourist would want to come here.
Is commissioners need to be woken up and as citizens of Clallam County we should demand this get eradicated.
Thank you for the person taking the photos. Sad to stay it is evidence but it will land deaf ear when it comes to the health dept, city and county leaders, and even PBH. These people are encouraging the use.
How do you think the NGO’s money is being funneled
I have a family member who has dismantled many things and then leaving it on our property. I have spent thousands of dollars cleaning up his mess, from old cars full of drug paraphernalia, parts to who knows what, garbage, etc. Drug users don’t care who they hurt they just want their drugs. The family member just recently got out of jail which does not stop him.
He has become one of the revolving people we all talk about. I’m in constant guard watching what happens in my area, things have been stolen, money, etc all the usual things that drug use leads to. Things need to stop and the leaders need to be leaders and protect our community . This town offers nothing for our young people so many turn to drug use.
Watchdoggers already know, and care, about what is happening to the Clallam County community vis-a-vis the failed Harm Reduction programs. I see the same thing in and around Sequim on a regular basis. Thank you to the Anonymous citizen who stepped forward to begin to fight back against this insanity. And thank you, Jeff, for being the catalyst that has both started the ball rolling for constructive change, and for giving a growing cadre a forum where their concerns can be heard. Here's to a brighter 2026 for our neighborhoods!
The commissioners did not reply to yesterday's email. Here is the question asked today:
Dear Commissioners,
The article calls for reporting on impacts on parks, litter, vandalism, and nearby residents, not just services provided. Will the County commit to publishing quarterly impact reports with both positive and negative indicators of harm-reduction outcomes, and if so, what metrics would you include?
All three commissioners (who fund the Harm Reduction Health Center) can be reached by contacting the Clerk of the Board at loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov
There are two reasons that I like this post. One being that an ordinary citizen cared enough and decided to do something to show everyone in our county what's going on. More people are deciding to become engaged at a level beyond writing comments. I'm thankful for these people. The second reason is that it's evidence, for those who for various reasons look away, don't see because they aren't in the area, or those who herald harm reduction and will decide to deride any changes from their money machine.
.
.
I just realized that I'm 100% for Harm Reduction. Being true to the radical ideology I'm going to change the definition to suit my agenda. Harm reduction is:
- not providing drug paraphernalia in order to make the consumption of illegal drugs easier
- arresting those who violate the law
- aggressively arresting drug dealers
- providing for services that only support recovery/rehab once an addict has found their rock-bottom and wants to change.
.
.
On the brighter side, I see that the City of Port Angeles Parks Department will let citizens know when there's an immediate risk to public safety at one of their parks, but I haven't heard of them doing the same for needles left behind by junkies or for bodily fluids contamination.
And finally, what goes on in the I-5 corridor stands a good chance of happening right here. A Washington State Trooper was pulled from her patrol car and then drove away on I-5 by a suspect who had just smoked meth. Thanks, harm reduction, of old.
I really have a problem with local leaders that are very much aware of the ongoing problems but continually look away. Why do these same people get voted in time and time again? It amazes me!!!! I am a long time resident of Clallam county of 51 years. The decline really began about 20 years ago or a little longer.
There needs to be more protesting against this on a regular basis. But somehow protesting against Trump “Not our king” is more important. These political leaders need a slap in the face. In particular the ones that are also voting for tax increases like Mark Ozias. That guy somehow just keeps climbing the ladder.
Nothing will change until there is a more of a strategic plan set in place. Our local politicians and city council members need to know enough is enough!
Thank you for taking the time to document and share this, Anonymous. The delivery motorcycle is routinely parked next to Tumwater Creek, near the bridge off the truck route (on County-owned land). Local residents see what’s going on. Unfortunately, our leaders continue to look the other way while funding policies that perpetuate our local drug haven.
The same stories about the harm that harm reduction has caused is happening EVERYWHERE. It certainly can’t be maintained. The question is, how soon will the pendulum swing back to a common sense and “evidence based” approach? The pictures supplied is evidence that there is abuse of a system that is not working, and has been a problem since inception.
https://mynorthwest.com/seattle-red/rantz-opinion/rantz-seattle-waste-federal-funds-tackling-drug-crisis-created/3939453
Nov 15, 2023 These mayors (and their councils and, in some cases, state legislatures) pursued and adopted radical policies and legislation that allowed the fentanyl crisis to hit historic records. We saw DEFUNDED POLICE, effectively legalized drugs by refusing TO ENFORCE DRUG LAWS, prosecutors GO EASY ON THOSE THAT DID END UP GETTING ARRESTED, and similarly PERMISSIVE HOMELESS POLICIES.
Harm reduction does the opposite of reducing harm
Amber Tejada with the Hepatitis Education Project responded, then added that it’s not about getting addicts off their drugs. They seek to “FACILITATE AND CHAMPION” drug use under the belief that ADDICTS SHOULD BE FREE TO CONTINUE USE.
That is the true philosophy behind Peoples Harm Reduction Alliance(PHRA) the agency that pushed the current harm reduction approach on the west coast and some other cities. The lead staff person at Clallam HRHC during the covid /expansion years (Lisa Al Hakim) came from PHRA and returned through the revolving door to an executive position there after leaving CC.
Pictures don’t lie and these photos tell the story of Clallam County’s failed policies. “Harm reduction” is a public health philosophy with no comprehensive data linking to specific metrics other than 78% of overdose survivors engaged with services with paramedic intervention, and 3% success rate for engagement without the paramedic team on scene. ClallamCounty’s overdose fatality rate went from the second highest in Washington State (71 per 100,000) to the eleventh highest as of March 2025 (no numbers yet). Are we winning yet??
Thank you, Jeff, and thank you to Anonymous for submitting the photos. The Asian American business owner is my best friend and she can tell you some wild stories about what happens in the parking lot across the street, who has come barreling in to her business swinging at her and her husband, who has come in pleading for food or drink, who has defecated in her doorway, who is shooting up on the side of her building etc.
We should have a meet up at her business soon, it's a great little place
Susie I am there almost every day! You say when and we will make it happen!
You describe government action fueled by misplaced compassion.
The far east government in China is getting revenge on the world for the opium wars. They have a long memory.
I am saddened that what you describe in this article is not continuous front-page news in our local professional newspapers. I doubt most people even want to acknowledge this disaster that is happening in front of our eyes.
Thank you anonymous for this documentation. It’s just like I said about a month or so ago that these harm reduction kits don’t do a damn thing to help these people except further their drug use and deface our once beautiful town. A picture is worth 1000 words.
Who in there right mind being a tourist would want to come here.
Is commissioners need to be woken up and as citizens of Clallam County we should demand this get eradicated.
I thought when I moved here 5 years ago that the local politicians were smoking crack
I was wrong they are on meth. Knowing what I know now they might be dealing.
Thank you for the person taking the photos. Sad to stay it is evidence but it will land deaf ear when it comes to the health dept, city and county leaders, and even PBH. These people are encouraging the use.
How do you think the NGO’s money is being funneled
I have a family member who has dismantled many things and then leaving it on our property. I have spent thousands of dollars cleaning up his mess, from old cars full of drug paraphernalia, parts to who knows what, garbage, etc. Drug users don’t care who they hurt they just want their drugs. The family member just recently got out of jail which does not stop him.
He has become one of the revolving people we all talk about. I’m in constant guard watching what happens in my area, things have been stolen, money, etc all the usual things that drug use leads to. Things need to stop and the leaders need to be leaders and protect our community . This town offers nothing for our young people so many turn to drug use.
Watchdoggers already know, and care, about what is happening to the Clallam County community vis-a-vis the failed Harm Reduction programs. I see the same thing in and around Sequim on a regular basis. Thank you to the Anonymous citizen who stepped forward to begin to fight back against this insanity. And thank you, Jeff, for being the catalyst that has both started the ball rolling for constructive change, and for giving a growing cadre a forum where their concerns can be heard. Here's to a brighter 2026 for our neighborhoods!
The commissioners did not reply to yesterday's email. Here is the question asked today:
Dear Commissioners,
The article calls for reporting on impacts on parks, litter, vandalism, and nearby residents, not just services provided. Will the County commit to publishing quarterly impact reports with both positive and negative indicators of harm-reduction outcomes, and if so, what metrics would you include?
All three commissioners (who fund the Harm Reduction Health Center) can be reached by contacting the Clerk of the Board at loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov
There are two reasons that I like this post. One being that an ordinary citizen cared enough and decided to do something to show everyone in our county what's going on. More people are deciding to become engaged at a level beyond writing comments. I'm thankful for these people. The second reason is that it's evidence, for those who for various reasons look away, don't see because they aren't in the area, or those who herald harm reduction and will decide to deride any changes from their money machine.
.
.
I just realized that I'm 100% for Harm Reduction. Being true to the radical ideology I'm going to change the definition to suit my agenda. Harm reduction is:
- not providing drug paraphernalia in order to make the consumption of illegal drugs easier
- arresting those who violate the law
- aggressively arresting drug dealers
- providing for services that only support recovery/rehab once an addict has found their rock-bottom and wants to change.
.
.
On the brighter side, I see that the City of Port Angeles Parks Department will let citizens know when there's an immediate risk to public safety at one of their parks, but I haven't heard of them doing the same for needles left behind by junkies or for bodily fluids contamination.
https://www.cityofpa.us/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1960
.
.
And finally, what goes on in the I-5 corridor stands a good chance of happening right here. A Washington State Trooper was pulled from her patrol car and then drove away on I-5 by a suspect who had just smoked meth. Thanks, harm reduction, of old.
https://komonews.com/news/local/washington-state-patrol-trooper-carjacking-christmas-day-alexander-eugene-smith-driving-under-the-influence-highway-interstate-5-court-appearance
I really have a problem with local leaders that are very much aware of the ongoing problems but continually look away. Why do these same people get voted in time and time again? It amazes me!!!! I am a long time resident of Clallam county of 51 years. The decline really began about 20 years ago or a little longer.
There needs to be more protesting against this on a regular basis. But somehow protesting against Trump “Not our king” is more important. These political leaders need a slap in the face. In particular the ones that are also voting for tax increases like Mark Ozias. That guy somehow just keeps climbing the ladder.
Nothing will change until there is a more of a strategic plan set in place. Our local politicians and city council members need to know enough is enough!
What do you suppose Port Angeles would be like if illegal drugs where unavailable, and working class jobs where available.
the potential for downtown PA businesses to thrive and provide working class wage opportunities is dammpened by the drug activity
Why don't our so-called leaders try a radically different approach instead of throwing money at the ineffective programs?
How about they try a couple of years of saying, "sorry, not sorry, we have nothing to give you."
There may be some layoffs in the agencies that have burgeoned to "help" with drug addiction but I'm sure those skills are transferrable, right?