Harm Reduction does not work, it has never worked and we should have learned this lesson from Holland who was the first to try it 40 years ago. “ It didn’t work”. Why do these so called community leaders who have never been addicted to anything but power, think they know best?
This tax payer funded program is tearing our communities up little by little.
What a joke when the leader cannot define success but wants millions of dollars more to continue a defunct program.
The more services that we offer like this, the more derelicts come to our area and our communities look like shit. We the citizens pay for it not just through money but our lives and our property. It’s just not worth it.
I know these people think they are doing the right thing but when you have no accountability you create a problem that only compounds. Nothing will change unless people face consequences for their actions. This starts at the top with our governor and runs downhill. With our current political climate, I'm sorry to say that the likelihood of positive change is slim to none.
Progress. Meaning a permanent money stream. I'm just waiting until residents from the new developments walk outside their door and smell the fumes spewing from nearby pot factory. Same smell as Seattle just a different zip code with a view.
"Handing out drug supplies and info" is an enabler in my book. Why not just enable them in Bartertown behind a fence with Snake Pliskin in charge, away from normal people who can live with others without committing perpetual crimes. Bartertown is here whether you want it or not. Its just missing the high walls and Snake Pliskin.
In the Alcoholics Anonymous program those close to a person suffering from alcohol abuse are, if willing, given training around enabling. Enabling takes many forms, but it amounts to making excuses for, covering for or endlessly forgiving the abuser. A very important component of this enabling training is the tough love component. You are instructed that by enabling you are impeding your loved one's path to recovery. The real tough part is you must allow your loved one to hit their own bottom. The hoped for bottom is a self realization of the misery of an alcoholic life. The feared, yet possible bottom, is death. The message for enablers is that you must be willing to let your loved one die, should they choose that path. I see the behavioral health program as enabling. Once a path to recovery is offered and perhaps demonstrated, taking that path is the abuser's choice alone. Methadone is an enabling drug; soothing addiction temporarily, but neither stopping nor curing it. If a person chooses to die, you cannot take that choice from them. You can try, help, endlessly give empathy and encouragement, but the choice and the choice results remain the abuser's only. Who are you or I to make another's life choices ?
We can choose to not let them run amok and do more harm.
They must be contained as compassionately as possible.
We have to choose what societal cost we are willing to support to contain in a facility, these people who are completely out of control.
I personally believe they should have access to all the drugs and alcohol they want...when they are ready, if they have any cognitive ability left, they get 'treatment'.
Still very expensive but if we eliminate all the positions sucking up our money for no measurable outcome we could probably afford it with 'grants'.
It is impossible to put cost analysis to the revolving door extreme liberal/socialist system which has been put in place ON PURPOSE!
The NWO spares no expense because the monies they use have already been extracted from US in one way or another.
There is NO government or corporate money....every scintilla comes from US, THE PEOPLE in some way or another.
We are the 'cash cow'...we ARE the goose that lays the golden eggs.
We are being killed...slowly for now...more quickly if we get the 'jabs'.
Once AI and Crypto are fully functioning there won't be any further need for so many of us.
The first three of your paragraphs are key. We are a society that won’t allow a stray animal to run the streets without calling the National Guard for help (which I am in favor of :-) Why can we not have the same compassion and care for the humans running the streets. Literally a law for No Homeless. Period. This county has countless empty buildings, large ones…like empty schools etc Pick the largest and make it the receiving center for all “picked up for breaking the “homeless” law. Punishable by detainment in a receiving center for evaluation. There will be QUALIFIED STAFF (not kids with a degree in hand with ZERO experience in Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, PTSD, Mental Health issues and the mixtures of all of the above. They come in and get help with medical issues and detoxing and REAL evaluations that don’t include just giving out drugs and pushing them back out. Once evaluated they are sent to another facility that deals with the specific categories. Again. Manned with the best. Those that cannot be helped and will always need help will be placed in facilities that will give them all help needed and keep them safe for forever. Not horrible places like days of old. But a place that feels like home. Those that can be helped will receive it all and support to transition. Our county doesn’t did have a program called Drug Court. It is an intensive very well managed process that had lots of drug testing along with counseling and requirements to stay involved. It is a year long program as I recall and seemed to be a great program. It was not live in but that could be a similar format with live in situation so that people can develop skills and become people again.
13 Million that only benefits 36 people in a building that will continually drain the $$$ because these people will take take care of it. 13 million could do SO much for SO many. All the tons of money spent on drug paraphernalia and pizza and law enforcement and hospital bills, Emt’s and court time to run the same people through it all over and over again. There has to be an end to the hamster wheel. All this talk and NO action.
If these people were walking with them on their journey they would be sharing drugs, sleeping bags and food scrounged from the trash. They are in positions for real change. Things are only getting worse.
Has anyone noticed our large box stores are dropping like flies? The mom and pops are anyway but now it is the big boys. Look at our area alone that have gone by by…Penney’s, Sears, Joann’s, Rite Aid, Big Lots, who’s next? Spending stops when people are heavily taxed, heavily in debit, unemployed for various reasons. Raising Minimum wage cost jobs & hurt people besides making everything more expensive to cover the rising wages…AND a now taxes are sky high & every week seems like increasing…..while our county sits and does business as usual? Any NAYS yet? That’s the problem! No one can say NAY=NO!
AI and Crypto can’t pay for all the crap, where will all the $$$$ bucks come from when taxpayers are dead? Who will pay the taxes then? The homeless & addicted aren’t going to be paying much to support anything little lone themselves, so where will the taxes come from to pay for all the crap? Large corporate companies aren’t growing & certainly wages aren’t either like they used too. Even AT&T years ago said we can’t afford to pay all managers top wages so we have a sliding scale and you will be ranked and rated with your peer group and paid accordingly. Same philosophy in life, there is only so much to go around, period! After all these NGO’s bleed us dry including homeless, addicts & SSI individuals who is going to foot the bill? Forget about Social Security it will be gonzo too.
There won't be the need for so many of us...the Georgia Guidestones (recently destroyed) claimed 500,000,000...Five Hundred Million is the target number for perpetual sustainability...that's half a billion for the entire planet...by their own numbers that will be enough to meet the needs of the elite which are relatively few...just making up a figure of 500,000 elites...that gives them 1000 slaves for every elite and AI (self replicating) robotics will do most of the manufacturing while slaves tend the machines and wash the toilets...so there won't be that much crap to pay for...not my dream... just sharing what 'they' believe in and are aiming for...pretty good deal if they get away with it!
We would not recognize the Brave New World they have planned...I don't even care as I hope to graduate this realm and move on down (or up) the line!😊
Every action has a reaction. Every decision has a consequence. Few can truly say they’re rehabilitated—it’s a hard road they’ve personally traveled. Rebuilding a life that was once trashed is no small feat. But while that person was finding their way back, what else was lost? What was reclaimed for them—but not for those around them?
Is the child of the addict thriving today? Are the parents at peace? Or do they still witness the so-called “clean” person needing to be dosed? These are not easy questions. There’s no gentle answer, no excuse, no pity party—and no hand-holding.
Look at what others have endured just to live an average life. Many stay clean, raise kids, manage relationships, struggle through poverty—without ever leaning on addiction as an identity.
So no, live your consequence. Own it. Make it work. Stop leading with “I’m a recovering addict.” No—that’s what you were.
To rebuild anything takes work—real work. It takes patience, self-love, new surroundings, different associates, and exercising the mind as much as the body. It takes self-forgiveness—not someone patting your hand and saying “there, there.” Inner strength doesn’t come from comfort; it comes from doing. And just like destructive choices carried consequences, these better choices do too—they are the rewards. Dignity, peace, and purpose follow when your actions begin to align.
Too old to rebuild anything...can't keep up with the yard work and laundry as it is.
I can only try and give perspective few want to hear, based on history and real factual news as best as can be discerned.
So I wish the best for everyone but everyone has to make their own choices, and not choosing is a choice..."and it goes on and on... watching the river run...further and further from things that we've done...run river run."😊
Isn't it interesting to enshrine your position with facts and figures readily regurgitated of how much it costs to reduce drug use through various means to bolsters your position, but yet you can't put numbers to the solution you're peddling?
Of all the Commissioners I like Randy the most and applaud him for at least asking Sisk a question that Ozias or French never would, but I'm saddened that he didn't pursue her non response or ask other questions. It's almost as if he knows that he has to get along with the other two and just pulled in his horns.
5 Commissioners, BTW, that's my vote for the Charter Review Commission questionaire. I'll gladly pay for that.
Sisk, and her organization are a cancer to this region.
I agree, in part, with your assessment of commissioner Johnson going along to get along. I can't see where adding more bureaucrats will improve anything. Look at the Charter Review Commission (CRC) with fifteen elected members, thirteen endorsed by one political party. They are purported to be non partisan, but watch the recorded meetings thus far and see that is not the reality.
If I recall, one position becomes at-large so every district votes, the others are sliced up to make a 4th. An example would likely be based on population and geographic areas. District 1, east end to the Dungeness River. District 2, Dungeness to Kolonels Way. District 3, Kolonel to the Elwha. District 4, Elwha to the west end. Just an example.
Not for me…3 is enough to deal with 5 shoot me now! Look at Sequim City Council and the PA City Council…until people vote differently 3 is plenty! Thank you for your optimism and hope and I wish it would all work out but I think you are fooling yourself….I’m not willing to gamble on a already failing gang of thieves & pay out more for more of the same right now.
Well written again Jeff. We don't turn these people away from drugs, we make it comfortable. Wendy Sisk and the Kommissars have to go! Another overpaid bureaucrat with no record of success. A failure of dead bodies, criminal assault, property crimes... Maybe that is success in Wendy's world... Shame on you Wendy and your Kommissar handlers.
Thank you Jeff for more eye opener stories. Sad but true. Points well said. Its a chioce in people life. One i choose not to support with my hard earn money.
She noted that not everyone ends up “married and employed with a college degree and 3.4 kids.” For her, success is defined individually, based on what the person sitting across from her wants for themselves.
So she considers it success if that person sitting across from her prefers to stay addicted, because that's what they want for themselves?
The evidence is clear 'the more support funding for drug addiction programs the more the problem grows.Some of these drug addicts know from their beginning days of usage that they have support and find that satisfying enough to continue to use until their health fails and need help.The drug program workers obviously try to justify their work at all cost to keep their jobs.
Tough love isn't easy. Its heartbreaking. But AA and the Salvation Army will tell you its necessary. I've personally been there as I'm sure many on this thread have been as well.
Why is no one talking about where drug addiction leads? No information on how drug abuse affects the user, family, friends and community. How much does addiction affect police action. What is the real cost in terms of money. How is public safety affected (violence, theft, road rage, fear.) And the bottom line is that the addiction controls a human life in ugly ways. I wish I had a good answer for this huge problem, I don't. And clearly, neither does anyone. But the age old principle of "two wrongs (or more) does not make a right" needs to apply. Throwing money at a "wrong" doesn't seem to be helping.
Here's the problem, we've been convinced that the alternative is more costly, which is the conflict Sisk won't respond to because it's the right choice.
In my world, everything should be designed to send the addicts to rock bottom via consequences. If we actually cared about the addicts and recognize that rock bottom is the ONLY way to recovery then we'd see, as ALANON would teach, we'll all be sharing the pain of watching many fail (as the currently are), and others succeed, but we'd understand our role. Instead we let the likes of Sisk make things worse.
MK, honestly, I do believe the Commissioners should go through a series of ALANON programs. Then there would be an understanding and exposure to the real world. That is such a good idea. Will it happen? No, it doesn't pay enough.
I have asked several times for our commissioners to at least take a basic Econ course because they have no grasp on economics and how it works and that’s evident by how economically depressed our county is.
NorTexWarrior, I think it is an excellent idea. Unfortunately, commissioners don't have to educate themselves about economics, they just have to be elected.
Salvation Army has been helping addicts for decades. They have ZERO tolerance. They realize the afflicted only get sober when they've had enough. Getting serially arrested and going "cold turkey" multiple times might be the impetus that saves you or kills you. There is a point in time to recognize that not all will be saved. That unlimited tax dollars aren't the answer. That MAT may work but needs to be efficient and monthly administered drugs are more in line with what can be afforded versus the daily dose. Please can we get get Government and the Non Profits off the grift!
According to the American Addiction Center the relapse rate for substance use disorders is estimated to be between 40% and 60%. Naxolone has saved many lives but the question is, does it stop further drug use? Many years ago, I saw a program whereby an individual could enter a substance abuse program but they had to commit to stay for a year. During that time they worked in the kitchen, laundry, garden etc., they also were given educational and various skill sets. The success rate was better than providing needles, drugs etc. Tough love may be in order! As in all organizations, accountability must be a priority to track the success of their missions.
Katinka, Narcan gives drug users a sense of "security", or a safety net. So I guess it could be referred to as harm reduction, but I feel it emboldens increasing riskier behavior.
The research I have seen on chronic drug usage and homelessness shows that mental illness is highly contributory. I am not an expert on the subject and don’t claim to have a definitive answer to the addiction, or homeless problem. I do however know that I deserve the right to walk into Sequim Safeway store or gas station, day or night, without fear of attack. There have always been and always will be people that will not be productive members of society and follow the norms that society dictates. Providing housing is probably the best answer to date. As I read the Peninsula Housing Authority (PHA) description, and after conversing with Wendy Sisk, the Second Ave. housing unit is only going to provide high standard (luxury) housing for a select few. These units were also explained to me to be permanent housing, not halfway houses. The $$$ being spent on this project will not rid our street, sidewalks, creeks, and public facilities of the blight the homeless present. PHA has become a bureaucratic behemoth growing bigger by the year. Time for our leaders to reign in the purse strings and look for answers to SUCCESS. What is the return on investment?
It is the knee jerk response to say addicts and the homeless are mentally ill. That way the illness is to blame.
In reality drug use and dependency are markers for schizophrenia and a host of other brain illnesses. We feel quilt as we drive by people sleeping on the street. Because we are human. But look at your own hard work and sacrifices and maybe student debt and times you could barely pay rent.
Why are there so many more on the street? We’ve made it damn easy to just exist and be loaded to escape the reality that life takes energy, things aren’t easy, showing up and being responsible is harder than group drug use and hanging out with your drug addicted buddies (who will stab you if they want something you aren’t sharing) At some point a person decided to do illegal drugs and our DNA can show a tendency toward addiction.
Mental Illness can be self inflicted. Paying nitwits a quarter of a million dollars a year , with no stated goals or standards that can prove she’s even worth $15 per hour. How did that happen?
So who should we question about mental health stability? Maybe ourselves. Ms Sisk has worked her way up the ladder to become a high income earner, apparently with no oversight !
Yes according to Sisk, with French agreeing all the way, she says people need to have all the luxury items, dish washers, dog bathing stations, extra insulated walls so not to be able to hear an individual next door yelling 24/7, extra large type air conditioners, etc. and when you add all these things up it doesn’t add that much more to the total tab! Make your own appointment to speak with her, go ask her yourself. Yes this person who loves to spend other people’s money to provide living accommodations for mental health individuals and drug addicts, while watching what decisions they decide to do or not do, while she supports all the things anyone could want is in charge of it all! Any NAYS yet? BTW we are on the hook for the maintenance of the “have to have” grassy area to help them feel better about themselves….yes schedule an appointment and talk to her yourself.
Yikes, that’s an appointment she wouldn’t want to keep with me. There are so many things wrong or potential failure for a property like that, makes you wonder if these people have ever read a study. It’s not like it’s a new, cutting edge way to deal with the unhoused. It goes back to 1968’s Fair Housing Act that ended affordable housing and turned many mentally ill out on the street.
Harm Reduction does not work, it has never worked and we should have learned this lesson from Holland who was the first to try it 40 years ago. “ It didn’t work”. Why do these so called community leaders who have never been addicted to anything but power, think they know best?
This tax payer funded program is tearing our communities up little by little.
What a joke when the leader cannot define success but wants millions of dollars more to continue a defunct program.
The more services that we offer like this, the more derelicts come to our area and our communities look like shit. We the citizens pay for it not just through money but our lives and our property. It’s just not worth it.
Jeff's title was all wrong. It should have read, "50 years of harm infliction: Everyone loses"
Smiley face thingy.
Perhaps power is the greatest addiction! Legal but immoral. Popular but unethical.
The measure of destruction disguised as undefinable success.
This is the way of the secular world...the devil's playground.😈
I know these people think they are doing the right thing but when you have no accountability you create a problem that only compounds. Nothing will change unless people face consequences for their actions. This starts at the top with our governor and runs downhill. With our current political climate, I'm sorry to say that the likelihood of positive change is slim to none.
There's a chance if you are open to run for a BOCCC position? I'd vote for you.
I think youve hit the nail on the head!
It would seem that Sisk's definition of success is a quarter million salary with no accountability. Win-win for her.
Progress. Meaning a permanent money stream. I'm just waiting until residents from the new developments walk outside their door and smell the fumes spewing from nearby pot factory. Same smell as Seattle just a different zip code with a view.
“And I just want to take a moment to say that that doesn't mean we enable people. That doesn’t mean that we support people using,”
Narrator : Harm reduction by handing out drug supplies and info on how to use them does support people using
"Handing out drug supplies and info" is an enabler in my book. Why not just enable them in Bartertown behind a fence with Snake Pliskin in charge, away from normal people who can live with others without committing perpetual crimes. Bartertown is here whether you want it or not. Its just missing the high walls and Snake Pliskin.
In the Alcoholics Anonymous program those close to a person suffering from alcohol abuse are, if willing, given training around enabling. Enabling takes many forms, but it amounts to making excuses for, covering for or endlessly forgiving the abuser. A very important component of this enabling training is the tough love component. You are instructed that by enabling you are impeding your loved one's path to recovery. The real tough part is you must allow your loved one to hit their own bottom. The hoped for bottom is a self realization of the misery of an alcoholic life. The feared, yet possible bottom, is death. The message for enablers is that you must be willing to let your loved one die, should they choose that path. I see the behavioral health program as enabling. Once a path to recovery is offered and perhaps demonstrated, taking that path is the abuser's choice alone. Methadone is an enabling drug; soothing addiction temporarily, but neither stopping nor curing it. If a person chooses to die, you cannot take that choice from them. You can try, help, endlessly give empathy and encouragement, but the choice and the choice results remain the abuser's only. Who are you or I to make another's life choices ?
We should 100% make narcan unavailable UNLESS you have a prescription. This problem can take care of itself.
That's why they have the medical staff in place. Just write a prescription for everyone.
Only for addicts... not for legitimate pain relief!😮💨
My neighbor who periodically needs pain med for a serious condition now has to pay for NARCAN $68 when she picks up her periodic prescription.
You can't make this shit up!😱
The Jefferson county health department gives Narcan out to anyone for free.
We can choose to not let them run amok and do more harm.
They must be contained as compassionately as possible.
We have to choose what societal cost we are willing to support to contain in a facility, these people who are completely out of control.
I personally believe they should have access to all the drugs and alcohol they want...when they are ready, if they have any cognitive ability left, they get 'treatment'.
Still very expensive but if we eliminate all the positions sucking up our money for no measurable outcome we could probably afford it with 'grants'.
It is impossible to put cost analysis to the revolving door extreme liberal/socialist system which has been put in place ON PURPOSE!
The NWO spares no expense because the monies they use have already been extracted from US in one way or another.
There is NO government or corporate money....every scintilla comes from US, THE PEOPLE in some way or another.
We are the 'cash cow'...we ARE the goose that lays the golden eggs.
We are being killed...slowly for now...more quickly if we get the 'jabs'.
Once AI and Crypto are fully functioning there won't be any further need for so many of us.
Good thing we're not our bodies!😀
The first three of your paragraphs are key. We are a society that won’t allow a stray animal to run the streets without calling the National Guard for help (which I am in favor of :-) Why can we not have the same compassion and care for the humans running the streets. Literally a law for No Homeless. Period. This county has countless empty buildings, large ones…like empty schools etc Pick the largest and make it the receiving center for all “picked up for breaking the “homeless” law. Punishable by detainment in a receiving center for evaluation. There will be QUALIFIED STAFF (not kids with a degree in hand with ZERO experience in Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, PTSD, Mental Health issues and the mixtures of all of the above. They come in and get help with medical issues and detoxing and REAL evaluations that don’t include just giving out drugs and pushing them back out. Once evaluated they are sent to another facility that deals with the specific categories. Again. Manned with the best. Those that cannot be helped and will always need help will be placed in facilities that will give them all help needed and keep them safe for forever. Not horrible places like days of old. But a place that feels like home. Those that can be helped will receive it all and support to transition. Our county doesn’t did have a program called Drug Court. It is an intensive very well managed process that had lots of drug testing along with counseling and requirements to stay involved. It is a year long program as I recall and seemed to be a great program. It was not live in but that could be a similar format with live in situation so that people can develop skills and become people again.
13 Million that only benefits 36 people in a building that will continually drain the $$$ because these people will take take care of it. 13 million could do SO much for SO many. All the tons of money spent on drug paraphernalia and pizza and law enforcement and hospital bills, Emt’s and court time to run the same people through it all over and over again. There has to be an end to the hamster wheel. All this talk and NO action.
If these people were walking with them on their journey they would be sharing drugs, sleeping bags and food scrounged from the trash. They are in positions for real change. Things are only getting worse.
Silence is acceptance.
Has anyone noticed our large box stores are dropping like flies? The mom and pops are anyway but now it is the big boys. Look at our area alone that have gone by by…Penney’s, Sears, Joann’s, Rite Aid, Big Lots, who’s next? Spending stops when people are heavily taxed, heavily in debit, unemployed for various reasons. Raising Minimum wage cost jobs & hurt people besides making everything more expensive to cover the rising wages…AND a now taxes are sky high & every week seems like increasing…..while our county sits and does business as usual? Any NAYS yet? That’s the problem! No one can say NAY=NO!
AI and Crypto can’t pay for all the crap, where will all the $$$$ bucks come from when taxpayers are dead? Who will pay the taxes then? The homeless & addicted aren’t going to be paying much to support anything little lone themselves, so where will the taxes come from to pay for all the crap? Large corporate companies aren’t growing & certainly wages aren’t either like they used too. Even AT&T years ago said we can’t afford to pay all managers top wages so we have a sliding scale and you will be ranked and rated with your peer group and paid accordingly. Same philosophy in life, there is only so much to go around, period! After all these NGO’s bleed us dry including homeless, addicts & SSI individuals who is going to foot the bill? Forget about Social Security it will be gonzo too.
There won't be the need for so many of us...the Georgia Guidestones (recently destroyed) claimed 500,000,000...Five Hundred Million is the target number for perpetual sustainability...that's half a billion for the entire planet...by their own numbers that will be enough to meet the needs of the elite which are relatively few...just making up a figure of 500,000 elites...that gives them 1000 slaves for every elite and AI (self replicating) robotics will do most of the manufacturing while slaves tend the machines and wash the toilets...so there won't be that much crap to pay for...not my dream... just sharing what 'they' believe in and are aiming for...pretty good deal if they get away with it!
We would not recognize the Brave New World they have planned...I don't even care as I hope to graduate this realm and move on down (or up) the line!😊
Well said Garry!
Every action has a reaction. Every decision has a consequence. Few can truly say they’re rehabilitated—it’s a hard road they’ve personally traveled. Rebuilding a life that was once trashed is no small feat. But while that person was finding their way back, what else was lost? What was reclaimed for them—but not for those around them?
Is the child of the addict thriving today? Are the parents at peace? Or do they still witness the so-called “clean” person needing to be dosed? These are not easy questions. There’s no gentle answer, no excuse, no pity party—and no hand-holding.
Look at what others have endured just to live an average life. Many stay clean, raise kids, manage relationships, struggle through poverty—without ever leaning on addiction as an identity.
So no, live your consequence. Own it. Make it work. Stop leading with “I’m a recovering addict.” No—that’s what you were.
To rebuild anything takes work—real work. It takes patience, self-love, new surroundings, different associates, and exercising the mind as much as the body. It takes self-forgiveness—not someone patting your hand and saying “there, there.” Inner strength doesn’t come from comfort; it comes from doing. And just like destructive choices carried consequences, these better choices do too—they are the rewards. Dignity, peace, and purpose follow when your actions begin to align.
Too old to rebuild anything...can't keep up with the yard work and laundry as it is.
I can only try and give perspective few want to hear, based on history and real factual news as best as can be discerned.
So I wish the best for everyone but everyone has to make their own choices, and not choosing is a choice..."and it goes on and on... watching the river run...further and further from things that we've done...run river run."😊
We concur…but keep up you must no matter the speed, but there are still plenty of cliffs they can run off of too. Keep smiling!
Give them free drugs...just contain them so we can have some peace.☺️
Sorta like drug em all and let god sort it out!
Wow, what a docu-drama! Millions could be made which would help pay to contain them! Self-sustaining program!
Let's GO!🤪
Bravo!
Isn't it interesting to enshrine your position with facts and figures readily regurgitated of how much it costs to reduce drug use through various means to bolsters your position, but yet you can't put numbers to the solution you're peddling?
Of all the Commissioners I like Randy the most and applaud him for at least asking Sisk a question that Ozias or French never would, but I'm saddened that he didn't pursue her non response or ask other questions. It's almost as if he knows that he has to get along with the other two and just pulled in his horns.
5 Commissioners, BTW, that's my vote for the Charter Review Commission questionaire. I'll gladly pay for that.
Sisk, and her organization are a cancer to this region.
I agree, in part, with your assessment of commissioner Johnson going along to get along. I can't see where adding more bureaucrats will improve anything. Look at the Charter Review Commission (CRC) with fifteen elected members, thirteen endorsed by one political party. They are purported to be non partisan, but watch the recorded meetings thus far and see that is not the reality.
We have been taken without a shot being fired.
Kruschev told us the commies would do that back in the 50's.
Here we are!🤪
In my mind I'm hoping to water down the progressive lock when coupled with voting by district.
Ahhh, faith in the system...I love your hope!🤓
Don't get me wrong, I'll vote!🗳️
I get it. How do we redistrict?
If I recall, one position becomes at-large so every district votes, the others are sliced up to make a 4th. An example would likely be based on population and geographic areas. District 1, east end to the Dungeness River. District 2, Dungeness to Kolonels Way. District 3, Kolonel to the Elwha. District 4, Elwha to the west end. Just an example.
I sure would not have much faith in the current CRC controlling this.
More commie infiltrators should speed the process up quite a bit!😃
Reconsider. 3 100,000 salaries are enough. Let’s return to restricting voting to the district the commissioner will represent.
I definitely agree with the voting by district.
One competent commissioner could easily make all appropriate useful (to us) decisions for a county of 80,000.
Part time...as that is what 'Nozias' is doing...very part-time on our business...very full time on NWO Agenda 21+++ business.🥸
Not for me…3 is enough to deal with 5 shoot me now! Look at Sequim City Council and the PA City Council…until people vote differently 3 is plenty! Thank you for your optimism and hope and I wish it would all work out but I think you are fooling yourself….I’m not willing to gamble on a already failing gang of thieves & pay out more for more of the same right now.
Well written again Jeff. We don't turn these people away from drugs, we make it comfortable. Wendy Sisk and the Kommissars have to go! Another overpaid bureaucrat with no record of success. A failure of dead bodies, criminal assault, property crimes... Maybe that is success in Wendy's world... Shame on you Wendy and your Kommissar handlers.
Thank you Jeff for more eye opener stories. Sad but true. Points well said. Its a chioce in people life. One i choose not to support with my hard earn money.
What Harvard degree does Susan Fisk have? Zoo keeping?
Snake oil sales. She's laughing all the way to the bank once every month pinching herself at the fools who just keep giving her money.
A person who is given other people's money, and has no accountability, bears no responsibility to use that money efficiently.
This country is being run by college educated nitwits. With their bs accepted as gospel by those who cant think for themselves.
Pretty good plan, isn't it...it's working...for now!
The commies eat their own and a fair chunk of us along the way.😇
Wendy Sisk and Susan Fisk?
The Fisky-Sisky Sisters?👯♀️🤣
She noted that not everyone ends up “married and employed with a college degree and 3.4 kids.” For her, success is defined individually, based on what the person sitting across from her wants for themselves.
So she considers it success if that person sitting across from her prefers to stay addicted, because that's what they want for themselves?
Exactly
The evidence is clear 'the more support funding for drug addiction programs the more the problem grows.Some of these drug addicts know from their beginning days of usage that they have support and find that satisfying enough to continue to use until their health fails and need help.The drug program workers obviously try to justify their work at all cost to keep their jobs.
You baby the addict….you’ll bury the addict !
And everyone they harm.
Tough love isn't easy. Its heartbreaking. But AA and the Salvation Army will tell you its necessary. I've personally been there as I'm sure many on this thread have been as well.
Why is no one talking about where drug addiction leads? No information on how drug abuse affects the user, family, friends and community. How much does addiction affect police action. What is the real cost in terms of money. How is public safety affected (violence, theft, road rage, fear.) And the bottom line is that the addiction controls a human life in ugly ways. I wish I had a good answer for this huge problem, I don't. And clearly, neither does anyone. But the age old principle of "two wrongs (or more) does not make a right" needs to apply. Throwing money at a "wrong" doesn't seem to be helping.
Here's the problem, we've been convinced that the alternative is more costly, which is the conflict Sisk won't respond to because it's the right choice.
In my world, everything should be designed to send the addicts to rock bottom via consequences. If we actually cared about the addicts and recognize that rock bottom is the ONLY way to recovery then we'd see, as ALANON would teach, we'll all be sharing the pain of watching many fail (as the currently are), and others succeed, but we'd understand our role. Instead we let the likes of Sisk make things worse.
MK, honestly, I do believe the Commissioners should go through a series of ALANON programs. Then there would be an understanding and exposure to the real world. That is such a good idea. Will it happen? No, it doesn't pay enough.
I have asked several times for our commissioners to at least take a basic Econ course because they have no grasp on economics and how it works and that’s evident by how economically depressed our county is.
NorTexWarrior, I think it is an excellent idea. Unfortunately, commissioners don't have to educate themselves about economics, they just have to be elected.
They probably NEED it!😀
What an excellent idea. They would get the best information possible about addiction and be able to act accordingly.
Oh, they're addicted alright!😜
Salvation Army has been helping addicts for decades. They have ZERO tolerance. They realize the afflicted only get sober when they've had enough. Getting serially arrested and going "cold turkey" multiple times might be the impetus that saves you or kills you. There is a point in time to recognize that not all will be saved. That unlimited tax dollars aren't the answer. That MAT may work but needs to be efficient and monthly administered drugs are more in line with what can be afforded versus the daily dose. Please can we get get Government and the Non Profits off the grift!
Lawrence, MAT clinic does not nor ever will work. I like your first choice
Not all will be saved...just get them off our streets.😊
According to the American Addiction Center the relapse rate for substance use disorders is estimated to be between 40% and 60%. Naxolone has saved many lives but the question is, does it stop further drug use? Many years ago, I saw a program whereby an individual could enter a substance abuse program but they had to commit to stay for a year. During that time they worked in the kitchen, laundry, garden etc., they also were given educational and various skill sets. The success rate was better than providing needles, drugs etc. Tough love may be in order! As in all organizations, accountability must be a priority to track the success of their missions.
Katinka, Narcan gives drug users a sense of "security", or a safety net. So I guess it could be referred to as harm reduction, but I feel it emboldens increasing riskier behavior.
That's a plan I 100% approve of.
And where did you say those living-wage jobs were when they were ready to re-assimilate?🙂
Yes!! This ⬆️
The research I have seen on chronic drug usage and homelessness shows that mental illness is highly contributory. I am not an expert on the subject and don’t claim to have a definitive answer to the addiction, or homeless problem. I do however know that I deserve the right to walk into Sequim Safeway store or gas station, day or night, without fear of attack. There have always been and always will be people that will not be productive members of society and follow the norms that society dictates. Providing housing is probably the best answer to date. As I read the Peninsula Housing Authority (PHA) description, and after conversing with Wendy Sisk, the Second Ave. housing unit is only going to provide high standard (luxury) housing for a select few. These units were also explained to me to be permanent housing, not halfway houses. The $$$ being spent on this project will not rid our street, sidewalks, creeks, and public facilities of the blight the homeless present. PHA has become a bureaucratic behemoth growing bigger by the year. Time for our leaders to reign in the purse strings and look for answers to SUCCESS. What is the return on investment?
It is the knee jerk response to say addicts and the homeless are mentally ill. That way the illness is to blame.
In reality drug use and dependency are markers for schizophrenia and a host of other brain illnesses. We feel quilt as we drive by people sleeping on the street. Because we are human. But look at your own hard work and sacrifices and maybe student debt and times you could barely pay rent.
Why are there so many more on the street? We’ve made it damn easy to just exist and be loaded to escape the reality that life takes energy, things aren’t easy, showing up and being responsible is harder than group drug use and hanging out with your drug addicted buddies (who will stab you if they want something you aren’t sharing) At some point a person decided to do illegal drugs and our DNA can show a tendency toward addiction.
Mental Illness can be self inflicted. Paying nitwits a quarter of a million dollars a year , with no stated goals or standards that can prove she’s even worth $15 per hour. How did that happen?
So who should we question about mental health stability? Maybe ourselves. Ms Sisk has worked her way up the ladder to become a high income earner, apparently with no oversight !
You need to be on the county mental health board as a voice of reason. Well said.
Luxury housing works best!😎
Yes according to Sisk, with French agreeing all the way, she says people need to have all the luxury items, dish washers, dog bathing stations, extra insulated walls so not to be able to hear an individual next door yelling 24/7, extra large type air conditioners, etc. and when you add all these things up it doesn’t add that much more to the total tab! Make your own appointment to speak with her, go ask her yourself. Yes this person who loves to spend other people’s money to provide living accommodations for mental health individuals and drug addicts, while watching what decisions they decide to do or not do, while she supports all the things anyone could want is in charge of it all! Any NAYS yet? BTW we are on the hook for the maintenance of the “have to have” grassy area to help them feel better about themselves….yes schedule an appointment and talk to her yourself.
Yikes, that’s an appointment she wouldn’t want to keep with me. There are so many things wrong or potential failure for a property like that, makes you wonder if these people have ever read a study. It’s not like it’s a new, cutting edge way to deal with the unhoused. It goes back to 1968’s Fair Housing Act that ended affordable housing and turned many mentally ill out on the street.
It accomplished the opposite of the goal.
Reference: The Best Minds by Jonathan Rosen.