The commissioners did not respond to yesterday's email inviting 4PA to present at a future work session. Here is today's question (all 3 commissioners can be reached by emailing the Clerk of the Board at loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov):
Dear Commissioners,
When county commissioners tell residents to “ask the NGOs” how taxpayer money is being spent, but those same NGOs don’t provide clear answers — and aren’t subject to public records laws — what exactly is the proper path for the public to get real information? If the county is the one writing the checks, why aren’t you using that leverage to require straightforward reporting, measurable results, and timely responses before approving or renewing millions in funding? At what point does the responsibility for transparency fall back on the commissioners who control the contracts?
Below: This is not an official response — it is a modeled example of what a legally grounded, transparency-forward answer from an individual commissioner could look like.
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for the question. When the County appropriates public funds through contracts with nonprofit organizations, the responsibility for oversight rests with the Board of County Commissioners under RCW 36.32.120 (Washington State Legislature, n.d.-a). That authority includes approving contracts and setting reporting expectations.
Nonprofit organizations themselves are generally not subject to the Public Records Act (PRA). However, the County is. Any contracts, amendments, performance reports, or documentation submitted to the County become public records once in County possession (RCW 42.56.070) (Washington State Legislature, n.d.-b). In addition, all deliberations and approvals must occur in open session under the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30.010) (Washington State Legislature, n.d.-c).
To fully answer your question about what reporting requirements currently exist in specific contracts, a Public Records Act request may be necessary to review the exact language approved by the Board and any performance reports submitted. That fact alone highlights a governance issue: if commissioners cannot readily cite the reporting standards attached to contracts they have approved, transparency can be improved.
As an individual commissioner, I would raise the following actions:
1. Request a review of current nonprofit contract language to identify what performance reporting is required.
2. Place a public work session on the agenda to evaluate whether standardized outcome reporting should be required across major contracts.
3. Advocate for proactive posting of approved contracts and associated performance summaries so residents do not need to file formal records requests to understand how funds are being used.
Public money does not lose its public character when administered through a nonprofit intermediary. The Board controls the contracts; therefore, the responsibility for transparency ultimately rests with the Board.
Respectfully,
Commissioner
Clallam County Board of Commissioners
References
Washington State Legislature. (n.d.-a). RCW 36.32.120: Powers of county legislative authorities.
If we were to tie nonprofit or county executive salaries to median individual income, here’s what that might look like in practical terms.
Clallam County’s median household income has historically been around $45,000. Median individual income is typically lower — often in the $32,000 to $35,000 range in rural counties.
For modeling purposes, let’s assume median individual income is about $34,000.
If executive compensation were tied to a multiple of that median, the numbers would look roughly like this:
2 times median income = $68,000
3 times median income = $102,000
4 times median income = $136,000
5 times median income = $170,000
6 times median income = $204,000
Most rural county administrators and nonprofit executive directors tend to fall somewhere between 3 to 6 times median individual income.
So if a community chose to cap leadership compensation at 4 times median income, that would likely reduce upper-end salaries somewhat, while still remaining within a range that many rural executives already operate in.
The idea behind tying salaries to median income is that it creates automatic alignment with local economic conditions. If the community prospers, compensation can rise. If median income stagnates, leadership compensation stagnates too.
The question then becomes: is the goal symbolic alignment, incentive restructuring, or actual fiscal impact? Because salary compression at the top may change optics and internal equity, but it won’t fundamentally reshape the broader economic structure unless other growth factors change too.
Jeff is it really necessary to state how the commissioners can be reached at the end of every comment? I’m just looking out for you and Jake.
If the commissioners reached back once in a while too, we would feel like a communication super-highway has opened up. But now the highway feels like bushwhacking across the Rockies. There is no super anything that I can name coming out of the commissioners offices, oh wait, when they are gone it feels good. Cant imagine Ozias sheds a good light on his constituents when he’s in DC. We probably hold him back from reaching his dreams (Full Retirement)
Public funds do not lose their public character when they pass through a nonprofit intermediary. Accountability remains with the elected officials who authorize the expenditure.
Washington law states: “The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them.” (RCW 42.30.010)
The question asked in your letter: “If a resident of North View uses drugs or alcohol, will they be permitted to continue residing there? If so, under what conditions?”
An acknowledgment “You also provided an example in which someone using meth might be encouraged to reduce consumption rather than cease entirely”
There are no conditions that can be sited for knowingly allowing drug use. It is against Wa State Laws. Supportive Housing cannot rewrite State Laws to fit a program that would be against the law. Wendy is not above the law. There are penalties for breaking the laws for unlawful use of a building which would allow drug use. There can be NO drug paraphernalia in the building regardless if is given to the tenants by Harm Reduction.
Unlawful use of building for drug purposes—Liability of owner or manager—Penalty.
(1) It is unlawful for any person who has under his or her management or control any building, room, space, or enclosure, EITHER AS AN OWNER, LESSEE, AGENT, employee, or mortgagee,TO KNOWINGLY RENT, LEASE, OR MAKE AVAILABLE FOR USE, WITH OR WITHOUT COMPENSATION, THE BUILDING, ROOM, SPACE, OR ENCLOSURE FOR THE PURPOSE OF UNLAWFUL MANUFACTURING, DELIVERING, SELLING, STORING, OR GIVING AWAY ANY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE under chapter 69.50 RCW, legend drug under chapter 69.41 RCW, or imitation controlled substance under chapter 69.52 RCW.
(2) It shall be a defense for an owner, manager, or other person in control pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to, in good faith, NOTIFY A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OF SUSPECTED DRUG ACTIVITY pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, OR TO PROCESS AN UNLAWFUL DETAINER ACTION FOR DRUG-RELATED ACTIVITY AGAINST THE TENANT OR OCCUPANT.
(3) A violation of this section is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
RCW 69.50.102 DRUG PARAPHERNALIA – DEFINITION.
(11) [(k)] Hypodermic syringes, needles, and other objects used, intended for use, or designed for use in parenterally injecting controlled substances into the human body;
RCW 69.41.040 PRESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS-PENALTY
(1) A prescription, in order to be effective in legalizing the possession of legend drugs, must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by one authorized to prescribe the use of such legend drugs.
Wow, Jennifer. You answered a direct question and backed it with research. You'd never make it in county government or in the NGO industry, but you're hired as a CC Watchdog correspondent. Thanks!
Thanks Jeff, IMO all of Clallam County taxpayers "own" the Supportive Housing. As owners, we are legally obliged to report any drug use. There is no wiggle room under "tolerated drug use" which is what is being shoved down our throats.
If your a diabetic they will lock up the Twinkies. If your an addict you're helpless and weak and in need of bureaucratic assistance....at 5 grand a week to play hide and seek in an NGO.
Notice how much of our produce is coming from Mexico. 1,400 miles away! With the price of gas along the west coast states, we're getting hammered. Safeway, $4.55/gal. for regular today.
You're right John. I'm really getting sick of our leaders rewriting and bypassing their legal obligations and when it is pointed out they also ignore that. What I worry about is what they are going to do in 2026 before the elections. There is a flurry of activities aimed at their agenda. Can't wait for the water steward to pop up again. They are desperate to claim that victory...for the Tribe.
The above quoted RCW is a great tool in the prevention of drug Trafficking. It does not however prevent the USE of unprescribed or legal drugs by a tenant. Neither does it prevent Alcohol use.
The addition of a SOBRIETY clause to the lease however would give them legal authority for eviction for drug or alcohol use alone.
Wow, Jennifer I confess that Jeff's cognitions are usually correct and unfortunately your future inside government service is probably bleak. The NGO industry is even more sinister.
GOOD NEWS: Hey, high five to us all! Senate Bill 5973 is dead. We are fighting back one SB at a time!
HISTORY: Washington lawmakers have introduced SB 5973 (and its companion bill HB 2259) a bill that significantly restructures how citizens can use the initiative and referendum process. The bill sponsors frame it as an “integrity” measure, the real-world effect is unmistakable: SB 5973 adds early barriers, legal risk, and BUREAUCRATIC FRICTION DESIGNED TO DISCOURAGE CITIZENS FROM CHALLENGING THE LEGISLATURE.
Over the past several years, groups like Let’s Go Washington have repeatedly used the initiative process to push back on policies enacted by a one-party Legislature. That success has proven politically inconvenient for democrats and SB 5973 appears to be the response.
"When an NGO CEO can flip a commissioner’s question back at him" -- in an employee/employer relationship, that sort of attitude and answer would result in immediate disciplinary action, if not termination. Ms. Sisk treated commissioner Johnson as her employee -- and he allowed it. Is it any wonder why the tail is wagging the dog in Clallam County?
She might as well said this is what the globalist water buffalo lodge wants and if you want a slap on the back next time you go there for votes or anything else, you better follow the doctrine.
Hiding their stuff is the norm now. They realize there are 10-15 people with 10 levels of flubber and magic bean detection.
Its how they survive the 21 different policy positions.
The NGO says dis dat and de udder ting. For instance. The PSP/NODC/SERN SAYS We don't want growth in rural areas and we want to transfer all growth to the UGA.
Then it becomes Emery's job and monkey's consortium's to make that happen. They can't just say no more growth in rural area's because that is a constitutional challenge they would lose. So The split the hair and say RV use is allowed if its temporary RV use. They have to finagle the codes to make it an environmental application to permanent RV use to make it worse than temporary RV use. Of course that is flubber and magic bean policy. RV use is RV use. The Environment won't know the difference if the self contained unit is emptied if its there permanently. But, the goal of diverting growth to UGA is accomplished. That's how its been for 14 years now. The NGO decides the policy and the consortium has to contort to it like a game of twister with a right foot on blue and a left foot on yellow. Or a left foot on blue and a right foot on yellow, regarding the same issue in many cases. That's why they have 21 or more different policy positions. It is also why they hide documents and background screens.
Many who attend these BoCC Tuesday meetings have thrown Randy a backbone, only for him to pass it up and side with his "buddies." It's very sad to watch.
I may have known her brother ect ect ect but her high paying salary is at the higher level of elected officials and they seem to associate to keep their game plans in order.
How many commissioners hold positions with NGO’s? Regardless of the position? If the answer is they all do, it’s a conflict of interest and they should resign or wait for elections and get voted out. Then they can seek full time employment with the NGO’s which hopefully with newly elected commissioners like Jake will understand the meaning of accountability, who they serve, how to measure success, oh and gain a sense of humility. It’s so exhausting, I don’t know how you do it Jeff. Thank you for your diligence.
One of Jeff’s best columns on the lack of transparency in County government. Throw money at the problem without any performance standards or goals. Golden Fleece Award. Come back and ask for more next year, “just because we can”.
The slide By the Numbers, 3,203 community members served. Damn that’s a lot of messed up folks! The 156 dedicated staff. This leads me to believe this is one of the County’s largest employers. I’d really like to see that payroll’s number. Seems high.
Commissioners. What are WE the taxpayers getting for our $4M? Show us the figures, good or bad.
PBH your Northview is sounding more and more like a college dormitory.
This is a masterfully written article Jeff Tozzer~!
When Randy Johnson asked Wendy Sisk, "how the PBH defines and tracks success" Wendy Sisk's response "What do you mean by success"? was absolutely hilarious to me. I immediately remembered Bill Clinton's infamous "What is sex" insanity, that was later followed by his "I did not have sex with that woman", which was only later (after over 50 million American taxpayer dollars was wasted in investigations) followed by some sort of weak and completely vague admission of guilt from old "Wet Willie" as Hillary reportedly violently exploded in a fit of rage at Bill behind the closed doors of the White House~! I know this "rage incident" of Hillary to be true, because in my investigations I found a (retired) completely terrorized, Secret Service agent who was actually in the detail of Executing Office protection at the time in question who told me that "I have NEVER seen a more dysfunctional family in my entire life" (when referring to the Clinton's disaster in the White House). This is ALL indicative of the unconstitutional "corporate US" structure that is "The Swamp" that President Trump, the white hats, and "we" are draining more & more every day~!
The Patriot Act = destruction of Americans Constitutional freedoms & rights by the government!
Sign it and "we" will see what is in it = REALLY?
2 weeks to flatten the curve = Obvious deception~!
Safe and effective = dangerous and deadly~!
These ALL reveal the old corporate "government two step" where the government is strictly prohibited from doing things, that they fund the NGOs to do so that the government can later claim "innocence" by deflecting guilt and deferring to the same NGOs to answer questions of accountability that the so-called "private entities" that hide behind their fake facade of corporate privacy, never honestly respond to~! Round and round we go, again & again, until "we" put an end to this madness~! We are never going to get to the bottom of these evil games by continuing to ask questions, however we can wake up the people to see that this evil matrix is THE problem~! Keep up the great work~!
I recall Wendy Sisk saying no drug use on the property, but Safeway is a short walk. So no foul to walk down the block, get high, walk back and get a warm hug. Then, go out tomorrow and do it again. 🎶
Eric, they still can't have drug paraphernalia in the building (but they will), besides, if they are using outside, you know they will be using inside, it's not a once a day high. It's the nature of addiction. If drug laws are followed, then it's back to homelessness and all the perks that help them stay that way.
Thank you Dr Sarah, presently there are no open positions. I think I would hang onto any job at PHB and vote for anything they tell me. The Benefit packages alone are worth the job.
We strive to provide competitive salaries and generous benefits to support our hard working staff. Click here to review employee benefits and learn more about our corporate culture.
Peninsula Behavioral Health is proud to offer the following competitive employee benefits package to all full-time staff:
• Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
• Group life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Employer-paid registration/licensure
• Graduated vacation leave starting at 15 days per year
• Paid holidays, floating holidays, and sick leave
• Employee wellness program
• Employee assistance program
• Annual Membership in LifeFlight
• Generous education / leave allowance
• Student Loan Repayment
• Voluntary Supplemental Insurance
Part-time staff authorized to work at least 20 hours per week receive partial employee benefits.
Eric, just like the college dorms. Party, pass out, come back to the dorms. Reality. Go to Safeway parking lot shooting gallery, get high, flatline, Narcan, piss your pants, stagger back to Northview, someone will get you cleaned up, order Dominoes, stiff the driver. Repeat, it’s another day.
In other words she is saying leave us alone and shut up. Only 20% of our money goes to the druggies and 80% to the overpaid PBH staff. What other business could run on that premise? Another 2 years and we will see a run down PBH condo site that is uninhabitable. Can’t wait to see what the remedy will be then. These staff people do not know how to run a rehab center anymore than the people they are trying to HELP!
jedj, Answer to your question, "What other business could run on that premise?" A lot of them, including Habitat for Humanity. Here's one we all use to think of as Goodwill.
The CEO’s of the 12 largest Goodwill organizations received $401,000-$905,000 annually in compensation with the average being $700,000. If the 161 Goodwill organizations paid the CEO the average compensation, then Goodwill spent more than $113 million on CEO compensation in 2023; or if each of the 161 organizations paid an average of $400,000 to each CEO, then Goodwill spent nearly $65 million on CEO compensation.
I don't donate much in dollars to big non-profits, since back in the day, I found out Lizz Dole was getting $400k+ for managing The Red Cross. Almost all big non profits pay out rages salaries!
I n the real business world they would go broke with an 80% labor rate. McDonald’s hamburgers would be $25 each. Well we know the waste of these non profit enterprises masking as legit businesses. Corruption and rip off on steroids.
Diabetes (type 2 especially) is treated as a medical condition requiring personal responsibility and strict behavioral change (diet, exercise, meds). Lapses (eating junk food) are seen as poor self-control, and people are urged to "just stop" harmful habits. Society rarely excuses ongoing poor management as "inevitable" or "a disease they can't help."
Addiction (substance use disorder) is also a chronic brain disease (per medical consensus), but stigma frames it as a moral failing or character weakness ("they're just weak and can keep doing their thing"). This leads to blame, punishment, and less compassion compared to diabetes or heart disease.
Research shows this stigma is widespread: Many people don't view substance use disorder (SUD) as a chronic illness like diabetes—over 75% in some surveys see it as a personal choice or moral issue, which reduces support for treatment and increases blame.
The inconsistency stems from moralization of addiction: It's tied to "bad choices," pleasure-seeking, or deviance, unlike diabetes (seen as more "biological" or accidental). This makes addiction more stigmatized, leading to harsher judgments.
Harm Reduction and the "Halo Effect" Critique
Harm reduction (e.g., needle exchanges, supervised consumption sites, naloxone distribution, safer supply, or even moderated use programs) prioritizes reducing immediate harms (overdose, disease transmission, death) over immediate abstinence. It meets people where they are, without requiring them to "stop" first.
Critics (including some moral/religious perspectives and those who see it as enabling) argue it creates a halo effect in these ways:
It can put a positive "glow" on continued use by framing it as "safer" or "responsible," potentially downplaying long-term risks or the need for full recovery.
It might reduce moral stigma around use (e.g., "if society provides clean needles or tested drugs, it must not be that bad"), leading to less pressure for change and more normalization of the behavior—similar to how the "functional addict" halo lets people hide in plain sight.
Some view it as permissive or "enabling weakness," contrasting with the strict "just stop" expectation for diabetics. Critics say this sends a mixed message: "Addicts are too weak to quit, so we'll help them use 'better'"—which can feel like lowering standards or excusing moral failing.
@JohnWorthington, don't you believe in "traffic cones" and "the commitment to the humanity of the person in front of you" (Dr. Berry Board of Health Meeting - February 17, 2026, Timestamp 21:36) and their necessity? "The same thing is true for sexual education . The same thing is true for substance use disorder" (Dr. Berry Timestamp 23:45-47 minutes)
I really want the information behind all of her statistics she shared that day, and what enabled their outcomes. It sounded like she was back and fourth with national data, state data... ect.
She basically glamorize's the people suffering addiction and homelessness as something that is painfully different than the reality.
Some of the things she said were true of course, but in my experiences of life that's how you spread a misleading message, by adding little slivers of truth to it.
@SC: I actually dug into the bibliography and reports Dr. Berry used for that presentation to figure out exactly where these numbers came from. You’re right that it’s a mix of local, state, and national data, which can make the "success" claims feel disconnected from what we see on the street.
Title: An Analysis of Data Sources and Attribution of Outcomes in the 2026 Harm Reduction Presentation
Date: February 24, 2026
Subject: Validity of Statistical Attribution in Clallam County Health Department Reporting
Abstract
This review evaluates the evidentiary basis for the reported 33% reduction in overdose fatalities in Clallam County between 2023 and 2024. While the reduction in mortality is supported by coroner and surveillance data, this analysis questions the attribution of this outcome solely to low-barrier harm reduction interventions. A review of the cited literature reveals a reliance on national-level sociological data to explain local homelessness trends, potentially obscuring high-acuity substance use factors specific to the region. Furthermore, the analysis highlights a potential confounding variable—the simultaneous implementation of the Sheriff’s Office HOPE program—which is not controlled for in the Health Department’s attribution of success.
Analysis of Data Sources & Outcomes
1. Mortality Data and Attribution of Causality
The presentation reports a 33% reduction in overdose fatalities, citing the Clallam County Annual Overdose Fatality Review (2025) and the Washington State Overdose Fatality Surveillance Network Report (2026). While the statistical decrease in mortality is consistent with these reports, the presentation attributes this success largely to the Harm Reduction Health Center’s (HRHC) "low-barrier" services.
Critique: This attribution lacks internal validity. Concurrent with HRHC operations, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office implemented the HOPE program, providing Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) within the correctional facility. As recent literature indicates that involuntary or correctional settings are critical intervention points for overdose prevention (HaRRT Center, 2025), the data presented do not isolate the HRHC’s impact from these parallel interventions.
Correction: The reduction in deaths should be framed as a cumulative effect of multi-agency interventions, including expanded naloxone distribution and correctional healthcare, rather than a singular victory for voluntary harm reduction services.
2. Regional EMS Data and Surveillance Limitations
The presentation cites a 40% reduction in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses to opioid events, referencing the Washington NW Region EMS Opioid Surveillance Report (2026).
Critique: A decline in 911 calls does not necessarily correlate 1:1 with a decline in overdose events. It is a well-documented phenomenon in harm reduction literature that increased community naloxone saturation allows bystanders to reverse overdoses without engaging emergency services.
Implication: While a reduction in EMS utilization is a positive fiscal outcome for the county, it may mask the continued prevalence of non-fatal overdose events occurring in private or public spaces.
3. Ecological Fallacy in Homelessness Demographics
To address community concerns regarding homelessness, the presentation cites national systematic reviews from JAMA Pediatrics and the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2016) to assert that homelessness is primarily an economic driver of Substance Use Disorder (SUD), rather than the reverse.
Critique: Applying national-level aggregate data to a specific rural population constitutes an ecological fallacy. While economic factors are primary drivers of homelessness nationally, local observations suggest a high prevalence of "high-acuity" homelessness driven by fentanyl and methamphetamine psychosis. The national data cited does not account for the specific behavioral health crisis observed in rural Washington State in 2026.
4. Syringe Service Program (SSP) Metrics
The Health Department reports a syringe return rate of approximately 134% (122,407 collected vs. 90,948 distributed), based on internal container counts.
Critique: While this metric demonstrates effective waste-management compliance among program participants, it measures throughput rather than community impact. A high return rate at the facility does not negate the presence of hazardous waste in public spaces, as the data does not account for syringes obtained from secondary sources or those not returned by non-compliant users.
Conclusion
The data presented by the Health Officer is statistically accurate regarding the reduction in death rates, but is utilized to construct a narrative that may overstate the causal role of the Harm Reduction Health Center while underrepresenting the complexity of local homelessness and public disorder. A more rigorous policy approach would require distinguishing between survival metrics (keeping users alive) and recovery metrics (reducing the prevalence of active addiction in the community).
References
Clallam County Health & Human Services. (2025). Clallam County annual overdose fatality review 2025 [Internal report].
Clallam County Health & Human Services. (2026). Harm reduction health center syringe transaction logs 2025-2026 [Unpublished raw data].
HaRRT Center. (2025). Narrative review of literature on involuntary treatment for substance use disorder. University of Washington.
National Survey of Syringe Services Programs. (2025). Association of safer smoking supply distribution with participant encounters. ScienceDirect.
Washington State Department of Health. (2026). Washington state overdose fatality surveillance network report, January 2026.
Washington State Department of Health. (2026). Washington NW region EMS opioid surveillance report, January 2026.
The county is measuring "Survival" (are they breathing?) while we are measuring "Quality of Life" (is the town safe?).
They have successfully kept people alive—which is a good thing—but they have done it by normalizing a level of public disorder that is destroying our neighborhoods. Don't let the shiny PowerPoint fool you: "Not Dead" is not the same thing as "Recovered."
Thank you so much! I wrote Dr. Berry a letter on Sunday asking for basically all this information you have provided.
I knee from listening to the entire presentation that important context was left out somewhere along the lines.
I know for a fact people are overdosing daily and being brought back to life without medical intervention.
I know for a fact that if those living in encampments are " away at work" during the day when cleanup efforts happen, that " work" consists of gathering money to feed the addiction. Whether that be selling yourself, flying a sign, boosting from local stores, cutting illegal firewood or stealing from hard working citezens.
I feel she is very out of touch and leaving important context out of her presentations.
They’re Peninsula Behavioral Health — but if you have behavioral problems like autism, you’re out of luck. They don’t treat autism or help with medication management. There are no big government subsidies to fund help for autism.
The commissioners did not respond to yesterday's email inviting 4PA to present at a future work session. Here is today's question (all 3 commissioners can be reached by emailing the Clerk of the Board at loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov):
Dear Commissioners,
When county commissioners tell residents to “ask the NGOs” how taxpayer money is being spent, but those same NGOs don’t provide clear answers — and aren’t subject to public records laws — what exactly is the proper path for the public to get real information? If the county is the one writing the checks, why aren’t you using that leverage to require straightforward reporting, measurable results, and timely responses before approving or renewing millions in funding? At what point does the responsibility for transparency fall back on the commissioners who control the contracts?
Below: This is not an official response — it is a modeled example of what a legally grounded, transparency-forward answer from an individual commissioner could look like.
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for the question. When the County appropriates public funds through contracts with nonprofit organizations, the responsibility for oversight rests with the Board of County Commissioners under RCW 36.32.120 (Washington State Legislature, n.d.-a). That authority includes approving contracts and setting reporting expectations.
Nonprofit organizations themselves are generally not subject to the Public Records Act (PRA). However, the County is. Any contracts, amendments, performance reports, or documentation submitted to the County become public records once in County possession (RCW 42.56.070) (Washington State Legislature, n.d.-b). In addition, all deliberations and approvals must occur in open session under the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30.010) (Washington State Legislature, n.d.-c).
To fully answer your question about what reporting requirements currently exist in specific contracts, a Public Records Act request may be necessary to review the exact language approved by the Board and any performance reports submitted. That fact alone highlights a governance issue: if commissioners cannot readily cite the reporting standards attached to contracts they have approved, transparency can be improved.
As an individual commissioner, I would raise the following actions:
1. Request a review of current nonprofit contract language to identify what performance reporting is required.
2. Place a public work session on the agenda to evaluate whether standardized outcome reporting should be required across major contracts.
3. Advocate for proactive posting of approved contracts and associated performance summaries so residents do not need to file formal records requests to understand how funds are being used.
Public money does not lose its public character when administered through a nonprofit intermediary. The Board controls the contracts; therefore, the responsibility for transparency ultimately rests with the Board.
Respectfully,
Commissioner
Clallam County Board of Commissioners
References
Washington State Legislature. (n.d.-a). RCW 36.32.120: Powers of county legislative authorities.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=36.32.120
Washington State Legislature. (n.d.-b). RCW 42.56.070: Public records—Inspection and copying.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.56.070
Washington State Legislature. (n.d.-c). RCW 42.30.010: Open Public Meetings Act—Declaration of policy.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.30.010
This whole NGO business has to stop. When 75% of your budget goes to salaries and administration there is something horribly wrong.
I totally agree with Jeff. Why can't they answer the simple questions?
In my mind success would be not a burden and a productive member of society. Not an ongoing welfare case.
God I hate NGOs
If we were to tie nonprofit or county executive salaries to median individual income, here’s what that might look like in practical terms.
Clallam County’s median household income has historically been around $45,000. Median individual income is typically lower — often in the $32,000 to $35,000 range in rural counties.
For modeling purposes, let’s assume median individual income is about $34,000.
If executive compensation were tied to a multiple of that median, the numbers would look roughly like this:
2 times median income = $68,000
3 times median income = $102,000
4 times median income = $136,000
5 times median income = $170,000
6 times median income = $204,000
Most rural county administrators and nonprofit executive directors tend to fall somewhere between 3 to 6 times median individual income.
So if a community chose to cap leadership compensation at 4 times median income, that would likely reduce upper-end salaries somewhat, while still remaining within a range that many rural executives already operate in.
The idea behind tying salaries to median income is that it creates automatic alignment with local economic conditions. If the community prospers, compensation can rise. If median income stagnates, leadership compensation stagnates too.
The question then becomes: is the goal symbolic alignment, incentive restructuring, or actual fiscal impact? Because salary compression at the top may change optics and internal equity, but it won’t fundamentally reshape the broader economic structure unless other growth factors change too.
Well I wish this was the case but it's not.
NGOs are a license to steal period.
The ONLY people that make out are the salaried employees and executives.
They don't have to show the books
They are never audited
Yet they continue to ask for public money.
The rules that apply to businesses applying for loans or public companies DO NOT apply to NGOs.
Unless that changes, they will continue to rape and pillage the public coffers under the guise of we are helping the public.
I liken it like when the schools unions always say "It's for the children"
Give me a freaking break
Thanks for that report Dr. Sarah. Do you believe that the income statistics might hide unreported income?
Jeff is it really necessary to state how the commissioners can be reached at the end of every comment? I’m just looking out for you and Jake.
If the commissioners reached back once in a while too, we would feel like a communication super-highway has opened up. But now the highway feels like bushwhacking across the Rockies. There is no super anything that I can name coming out of the commissioners offices, oh wait, when they are gone it feels good. Cant imagine Ozias sheds a good light on his constituents when he’s in DC. We probably hold him back from reaching his dreams (Full Retirement)
Good point. I put it out there because there are so many new subscribers, and I wonder who is just joining this circus for the first time.
Good Governance Daily Proverb:
Public funds do not lose their public character when they pass through a nonprofit intermediary. Accountability remains with the elected officials who authorize the expenditure.
Washington law states: “The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them.” (RCW 42.30.010)
The question asked in your letter: “If a resident of North View uses drugs or alcohol, will they be permitted to continue residing there? If so, under what conditions?”
An acknowledgment “You also provided an example in which someone using meth might be encouraged to reduce consumption rather than cease entirely”
There are no conditions that can be sited for knowingly allowing drug use. It is against Wa State Laws. Supportive Housing cannot rewrite State Laws to fit a program that would be against the law. Wendy is not above the law. There are penalties for breaking the laws for unlawful use of a building which would allow drug use. There can be NO drug paraphernalia in the building regardless if is given to the tenants by Harm Reduction.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=69.53.010
RCW 69.53.010
Unlawful use of building for drug purposes—Liability of owner or manager—Penalty.
(1) It is unlawful for any person who has under his or her management or control any building, room, space, or enclosure, EITHER AS AN OWNER, LESSEE, AGENT, employee, or mortgagee,TO KNOWINGLY RENT, LEASE, OR MAKE AVAILABLE FOR USE, WITH OR WITHOUT COMPENSATION, THE BUILDING, ROOM, SPACE, OR ENCLOSURE FOR THE PURPOSE OF UNLAWFUL MANUFACTURING, DELIVERING, SELLING, STORING, OR GIVING AWAY ANY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE under chapter 69.50 RCW, legend drug under chapter 69.41 RCW, or imitation controlled substance under chapter 69.52 RCW.
(2) It shall be a defense for an owner, manager, or other person in control pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to, in good faith, NOTIFY A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OF SUSPECTED DRUG ACTIVITY pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, OR TO PROCESS AN UNLAWFUL DETAINER ACTION FOR DRUG-RELATED ACTIVITY AGAINST THE TENANT OR OCCUPANT.
(3) A violation of this section is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
RCW 69.50.102 DRUG PARAPHERNALIA – DEFINITION.
(11) [(k)] Hypodermic syringes, needles, and other objects used, intended for use, or designed for use in parenterally injecting controlled substances into the human body;
RCW 69.41.040 PRESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS-PENALTY
(1) A prescription, in order to be effective in legalizing the possession of legend drugs, must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by one authorized to prescribe the use of such legend drugs.
Wow, Jennifer. You answered a direct question and backed it with research. You'd never make it in county government or in the NGO industry, but you're hired as a CC Watchdog correspondent. Thanks!
Thanks Jeff, IMO all of Clallam County taxpayers "own" the Supportive Housing. As owners, we are legally obliged to report any drug use. There is no wiggle room under "tolerated drug use" which is what is being shoved down our throats.
If your a diabetic they will lock up the Twinkies. If your an addict you're helpless and weak and in need of bureaucratic assistance....at 5 grand a week to play hide and seek in an NGO.
Wow, price of a pelt is inflating faster than gasoline.
Read what the Olympic Herald has revealed! His pelt price is infating too! Ya gotta love all of the investigative reporting ; )
The Olympic Herald Internal emails reveal Clallam Court scrambled to disable public comments before deleting its Facebook page.
https://www.olympicherald.com/p/internal-emails-reveal-courts-frantic/comments
This is a troubling event and indicative of the controllers, controlling. This person digs up good stuff.
still in sticker shock from head brocolli I bought yesterday
Notice how much of our produce is coming from Mexico. 1,400 miles away! With the price of gas along the west coast states, we're getting hammered. Safeway, $4.55/gal. for regular today.
Susie, there's real bargains on canned cat food this week if you want to go seafood ; )
You're right John. I'm really getting sick of our leaders rewriting and bypassing their legal obligations and when it is pointed out they also ignore that. What I worry about is what they are going to do in 2026 before the elections. There is a flurry of activities aimed at their agenda. Can't wait for the water steward to pop up again. They are desperate to claim that victory...for the Tribe.
The above quoted RCW is a great tool in the prevention of drug Trafficking. It does not however prevent the USE of unprescribed or legal drugs by a tenant. Neither does it prevent Alcohol use.
The addition of a SOBRIETY clause to the lease however would give them legal authority for eviction for drug or alcohol use alone.
Wow, Jennifer I confess that Jeff's cognitions are usually correct and unfortunately your future inside government service is probably bleak. The NGO industry is even more sinister.
GOOD NEWS: Hey, high five to us all! Senate Bill 5973 is dead. We are fighting back one SB at a time!
HISTORY: Washington lawmakers have introduced SB 5973 (and its companion bill HB 2259) a bill that significantly restructures how citizens can use the initiative and referendum process. The bill sponsors frame it as an “integrity” measure, the real-world effect is unmistakable: SB 5973 adds early barriers, legal risk, and BUREAUCRATIC FRICTION DESIGNED TO DISCOURAGE CITIZENS FROM CHALLENGING THE LEGISLATURE.
Over the past several years, groups like Let’s Go Washington have repeatedly used the initiative process to push back on policies enacted by a one-party Legislature. That success has proven politically inconvenient for democrats and SB 5973 appears to be the response.
YAY!!
"When an NGO CEO can flip a commissioner’s question back at him" -- in an employee/employer relationship, that sort of attitude and answer would result in immediate disciplinary action, if not termination. Ms. Sisk treated commissioner Johnson as her employee -- and he allowed it. Is it any wonder why the tail is wagging the dog in Clallam County?
She might as well said this is what the globalist water buffalo lodge wants and if you want a slap on the back next time you go there for votes or anything else, you better follow the doctrine.
Hiding their stuff is the norm now. They realize there are 10-15 people with 10 levels of flubber and magic bean detection.
Its how they survive the 21 different policy positions.
The NGO says dis dat and de udder ting. For instance. The PSP/NODC/SERN SAYS We don't want growth in rural areas and we want to transfer all growth to the UGA.
Then it becomes Emery's job and monkey's consortium's to make that happen. They can't just say no more growth in rural area's because that is a constitutional challenge they would lose. So The split the hair and say RV use is allowed if its temporary RV use. They have to finagle the codes to make it an environmental application to permanent RV use to make it worse than temporary RV use. Of course that is flubber and magic bean policy. RV use is RV use. The Environment won't know the difference if the self contained unit is emptied if its there permanently. But, the goal of diverting growth to UGA is accomplished. That's how its been for 14 years now. The NGO decides the policy and the consortium has to contort to it like a game of twister with a right foot on blue and a left foot on yellow. Or a left foot on blue and a right foot on yellow, regarding the same issue in many cases. That's why they have 21 or more different policy positions. It is also why they hide documents and background screens.
All these libtard water buffalo's drink at the same stagnant parasite water hole.
I knew Randy and his wife Carol. When he ran Green Crow and if an employee spoke to him like that employee wouldn't have been there long.
This is why I've said before his time has come. He's grown soft. He longer is a critical thinker. He needs to go.
Many who attend these BoCC Tuesday meetings have thrown Randy a backbone, only for him to pass it up and side with his "buddies." It's very sad to watch.
Complacent
I think that he bit off more than he can chew at this juncture in his life.
Ms sisk is affiliated with high end state elected officials so she brainwashes commissioners for more$$$.
Affiliated? Got any info you can share?
I may have known her brother ect ect ect but her high paying salary is at the higher level of elected officials and they seem to associate to keep their game plans in order.
How many commissioners hold positions with NGO’s? Regardless of the position? If the answer is they all do, it’s a conflict of interest and they should resign or wait for elections and get voted out. Then they can seek full time employment with the NGO’s which hopefully with newly elected commissioners like Jake will understand the meaning of accountability, who they serve, how to measure success, oh and gain a sense of humility. It’s so exhausting, I don’t know how you do it Jeff. Thank you for your diligence.
The CRC clearly thought otherwise.
One of Jeff’s best columns on the lack of transparency in County government. Throw money at the problem without any performance standards or goals. Golden Fleece Award. Come back and ask for more next year, “just because we can”.
The slide By the Numbers, 3,203 community members served. Damn that’s a lot of messed up folks! The 156 dedicated staff. This leads me to believe this is one of the County’s largest employers. I’d really like to see that payroll’s number. Seems high.
Commissioners. What are WE the taxpayers getting for our $4M? Show us the figures, good or bad.
PBH your Northview is sounding more and more like a college dormitory.
Like the Food Bank, hand out stuff without conditions and the flies show up like a fresh cow plop.
SUCCESS: Taxes approved, we got your money, we spent the money. Now go away...
Until they need more $
Repeat cycle...
This is a masterfully written article Jeff Tozzer~!
When Randy Johnson asked Wendy Sisk, "how the PBH defines and tracks success" Wendy Sisk's response "What do you mean by success"? was absolutely hilarious to me. I immediately remembered Bill Clinton's infamous "What is sex" insanity, that was later followed by his "I did not have sex with that woman", which was only later (after over 50 million American taxpayer dollars was wasted in investigations) followed by some sort of weak and completely vague admission of guilt from old "Wet Willie" as Hillary reportedly violently exploded in a fit of rage at Bill behind the closed doors of the White House~! I know this "rage incident" of Hillary to be true, because in my investigations I found a (retired) completely terrorized, Secret Service agent who was actually in the detail of Executing Office protection at the time in question who told me that "I have NEVER seen a more dysfunctional family in my entire life" (when referring to the Clinton's disaster in the White House). This is ALL indicative of the unconstitutional "corporate US" structure that is "The Swamp" that President Trump, the white hats, and "we" are draining more & more every day~!
The Patriot Act = destruction of Americans Constitutional freedoms & rights by the government!
Sign it and "we" will see what is in it = REALLY?
2 weeks to flatten the curve = Obvious deception~!
Safe and effective = dangerous and deadly~!
These ALL reveal the old corporate "government two step" where the government is strictly prohibited from doing things, that they fund the NGOs to do so that the government can later claim "innocence" by deflecting guilt and deferring to the same NGOs to answer questions of accountability that the so-called "private entities" that hide behind their fake facade of corporate privacy, never honestly respond to~! Round and round we go, again & again, until "we" put an end to this madness~! We are never going to get to the bottom of these evil games by continuing to ask questions, however we can wake up the people to see that this evil matrix is THE problem~! Keep up the great work~!
Cheers~!
Mike
Good morning Jeff,
A problem for sure...time to end NGO public funding!
I bet they have a different attitude. Global over Local needs to end and as fast as we can get Jake Seegers elected!
Thank you and have a great day all!
I recall Wendy Sisk saying no drug use on the property, but Safeway is a short walk. So no foul to walk down the block, get high, walk back and get a warm hug. Then, go out tomorrow and do it again. 🎶
Eric, they still can't have drug paraphernalia in the building (but they will), besides, if they are using outside, you know they will be using inside, it's not a once a day high. It's the nature of addiction. If drug laws are followed, then it's back to homelessness and all the perks that help them stay that way.
Here is the link to the appointed board for PHB: https://peninsulabehavioral.org/about-therapy-clallam/executive-leadership/
Thank you Dr Sarah, presently there are no open positions. I think I would hang onto any job at PHB and vote for anything they tell me. The Benefit packages alone are worth the job.
We strive to provide competitive salaries and generous benefits to support our hard working staff. Click here to review employee benefits and learn more about our corporate culture.
Peninsula Behavioral Health is proud to offer the following competitive employee benefits package to all full-time staff:
• Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
• Group life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Employer-paid registration/licensure
• Graduated vacation leave starting at 15 days per year
• Paid holidays, floating holidays, and sick leave
• Employee wellness program
• Employee assistance program
• Annual Membership in LifeFlight
• Generous education / leave allowance
• Student Loan Repayment
• Voluntary Supplemental Insurance
Part-time staff authorized to work at least 20 hours per week receive partial employee benefits.
SMH, I sure chose the wrong profession...
Eric, just like the college dorms. Party, pass out, come back to the dorms. Reality. Go to Safeway parking lot shooting gallery, get high, flatline, Narcan, piss your pants, stagger back to Northview, someone will get you cleaned up, order Dominoes, stiff the driver. Repeat, it’s another day.
))))):(((((( gotta laugh and cry
Interesting contradiction in terms. How does a Non-Government Organization, ( NGO ), maintain it's "Non" status when it is funded by Government ?
I have asked that question many times and never seem to get an answer, a coherent answer, that is...
Why can't we EVER get an answer to that question!
Because the Government has no control over the money once it leaves the hands of the people's representatives.
In other words she is saying leave us alone and shut up. Only 20% of our money goes to the druggies and 80% to the overpaid PBH staff. What other business could run on that premise? Another 2 years and we will see a run down PBH condo site that is uninhabitable. Can’t wait to see what the remedy will be then. These staff people do not know how to run a rehab center anymore than the people they are trying to HELP!
jedj, Answer to your question, "What other business could run on that premise?" A lot of them, including Habitat for Humanity. Here's one we all use to think of as Goodwill.
https://paddockpost.com/2025/02/14/executive-compensation-at-goodwill-2023/
The CEO’s of the 12 largest Goodwill organizations received $401,000-$905,000 annually in compensation with the average being $700,000. If the 161 Goodwill organizations paid the CEO the average compensation, then Goodwill spent more than $113 million on CEO compensation in 2023; or if each of the 161 organizations paid an average of $400,000 to each CEO, then Goodwill spent nearly $65 million on CEO compensation.
I refuse to donate or shop at that place.
That's why
I don't donate much in dollars to big non-profits, since back in the day, I found out Lizz Dole was getting $400k+ for managing The Red Cross. Almost all big non profits pay out rages salaries!
TLL, Personally, I don't donate shit anymore, nor much in my past. I will give to a neighbor or family that I know where my money is going.
I n the real business world they would go broke with an 80% labor rate. McDonald’s hamburgers would be $25 each. Well we know the waste of these non profit enterprises masking as legit businesses. Corruption and rip off on steroids.
The true ire is being missed. People like Sisk, et al NGO'S, are the symptoms of the sick commissioner trio.
Randy shouldn't have taken her shit, but he did.
Mike should give a shit, but isn't capable.
Ozias doesn't give a shit, because he's the ring leader.
We need to be prepared to focus our energy on Jake.
What a mess.
It's a s*** show for sure!
They have given addicts a "halo effect."
The Double Standard: Diabetes vs. Addiction
Diabetes (type 2 especially) is treated as a medical condition requiring personal responsibility and strict behavioral change (diet, exercise, meds). Lapses (eating junk food) are seen as poor self-control, and people are urged to "just stop" harmful habits. Society rarely excuses ongoing poor management as "inevitable" or "a disease they can't help."
Addiction (substance use disorder) is also a chronic brain disease (per medical consensus), but stigma frames it as a moral failing or character weakness ("they're just weak and can keep doing their thing"). This leads to blame, punishment, and less compassion compared to diabetes or heart disease.
Research shows this stigma is widespread: Many people don't view substance use disorder (SUD) as a chronic illness like diabetes—over 75% in some surveys see it as a personal choice or moral issue, which reduces support for treatment and increases blame.
The inconsistency stems from moralization of addiction: It's tied to "bad choices," pleasure-seeking, or deviance, unlike diabetes (seen as more "biological" or accidental). This makes addiction more stigmatized, leading to harsher judgments.
Harm Reduction and the "Halo Effect" Critique
Harm reduction (e.g., needle exchanges, supervised consumption sites, naloxone distribution, safer supply, or even moderated use programs) prioritizes reducing immediate harms (overdose, disease transmission, death) over immediate abstinence. It meets people where they are, without requiring them to "stop" first.
Critics (including some moral/religious perspectives and those who see it as enabling) argue it creates a halo effect in these ways:
It can put a positive "glow" on continued use by framing it as "safer" or "responsible," potentially downplaying long-term risks or the need for full recovery.
It might reduce moral stigma around use (e.g., "if society provides clean needles or tested drugs, it must not be that bad"), leading to less pressure for change and more normalization of the behavior—similar to how the "functional addict" halo lets people hide in plain sight.
Some view it as permissive or "enabling weakness," contrasting with the strict "just stop" expectation for diabetics. Critics say this sends a mixed message: "Addicts are too weak to quit, so we'll help them use 'better'"—which can feel like lowering standards or excusing moral failing.
@JohnWorthington, don't you believe in "traffic cones" and "the commitment to the humanity of the person in front of you" (Dr. Berry Board of Health Meeting - February 17, 2026, Timestamp 21:36) and their necessity? "The same thing is true for sexual education . The same thing is true for substance use disorder" (Dr. Berry Timestamp 23:45-47 minutes)
There are so many misleading and emotionally manipulative quotes to unpack from that presentation.
I really want the information behind all of her statistics she shared that day, and what enabled their outcomes. It sounded like she was back and fourth with national data, state data... ect.
She basically glamorize's the people suffering addiction and homelessness as something that is painfully different than the reality.
Some of the things she said were true of course, but in my experiences of life that's how you spread a misleading message, by adding little slivers of truth to it.
@SC: I actually dug into the bibliography and reports Dr. Berry used for that presentation to figure out exactly where these numbers came from. You’re right that it’s a mix of local, state, and national data, which can make the "success" claims feel disconnected from what we see on the street.
Title: An Analysis of Data Sources and Attribution of Outcomes in the 2026 Harm Reduction Presentation
Date: February 24, 2026
Subject: Validity of Statistical Attribution in Clallam County Health Department Reporting
Abstract
This review evaluates the evidentiary basis for the reported 33% reduction in overdose fatalities in Clallam County between 2023 and 2024. While the reduction in mortality is supported by coroner and surveillance data, this analysis questions the attribution of this outcome solely to low-barrier harm reduction interventions. A review of the cited literature reveals a reliance on national-level sociological data to explain local homelessness trends, potentially obscuring high-acuity substance use factors specific to the region. Furthermore, the analysis highlights a potential confounding variable—the simultaneous implementation of the Sheriff’s Office HOPE program—which is not controlled for in the Health Department’s attribution of success.
Analysis of Data Sources & Outcomes
1. Mortality Data and Attribution of Causality
The presentation reports a 33% reduction in overdose fatalities, citing the Clallam County Annual Overdose Fatality Review (2025) and the Washington State Overdose Fatality Surveillance Network Report (2026). While the statistical decrease in mortality is consistent with these reports, the presentation attributes this success largely to the Harm Reduction Health Center’s (HRHC) "low-barrier" services.
Critique: This attribution lacks internal validity. Concurrent with HRHC operations, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office implemented the HOPE program, providing Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) within the correctional facility. As recent literature indicates that involuntary or correctional settings are critical intervention points for overdose prevention (HaRRT Center, 2025), the data presented do not isolate the HRHC’s impact from these parallel interventions.
Correction: The reduction in deaths should be framed as a cumulative effect of multi-agency interventions, including expanded naloxone distribution and correctional healthcare, rather than a singular victory for voluntary harm reduction services.
2. Regional EMS Data and Surveillance Limitations
The presentation cites a 40% reduction in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses to opioid events, referencing the Washington NW Region EMS Opioid Surveillance Report (2026).
Critique: A decline in 911 calls does not necessarily correlate 1:1 with a decline in overdose events. It is a well-documented phenomenon in harm reduction literature that increased community naloxone saturation allows bystanders to reverse overdoses without engaging emergency services.
Implication: While a reduction in EMS utilization is a positive fiscal outcome for the county, it may mask the continued prevalence of non-fatal overdose events occurring in private or public spaces.
3. Ecological Fallacy in Homelessness Demographics
To address community concerns regarding homelessness, the presentation cites national systematic reviews from JAMA Pediatrics and the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2016) to assert that homelessness is primarily an economic driver of Substance Use Disorder (SUD), rather than the reverse.
Critique: Applying national-level aggregate data to a specific rural population constitutes an ecological fallacy. While economic factors are primary drivers of homelessness nationally, local observations suggest a high prevalence of "high-acuity" homelessness driven by fentanyl and methamphetamine psychosis. The national data cited does not account for the specific behavioral health crisis observed in rural Washington State in 2026.
4. Syringe Service Program (SSP) Metrics
The Health Department reports a syringe return rate of approximately 134% (122,407 collected vs. 90,948 distributed), based on internal container counts.
Critique: While this metric demonstrates effective waste-management compliance among program participants, it measures throughput rather than community impact. A high return rate at the facility does not negate the presence of hazardous waste in public spaces, as the data does not account for syringes obtained from secondary sources or those not returned by non-compliant users.
Conclusion
The data presented by the Health Officer is statistically accurate regarding the reduction in death rates, but is utilized to construct a narrative that may overstate the causal role of the Harm Reduction Health Center while underrepresenting the complexity of local homelessness and public disorder. A more rigorous policy approach would require distinguishing between survival metrics (keeping users alive) and recovery metrics (reducing the prevalence of active addiction in the community).
References
Clallam County Health & Human Services. (2025). Clallam County annual overdose fatality review 2025 [Internal report].
Clallam County Health & Human Services. (2026). Harm reduction health center syringe transaction logs 2025-2026 [Unpublished raw data].
HaRRT Center. (2025). Narrative review of literature on involuntary treatment for substance use disorder. University of Washington.
National Survey of Syringe Services Programs. (2025). Association of safer smoking supply distribution with participant encounters. ScienceDirect.
Washington State Department of Health. (2026). Washington state overdose fatality surveillance network report, January 2026.
Washington State Department of Health. (2026). Washington NW region EMS opioid surveillance report, January 2026.
Washington State Department of Health. (2024). Washington state STI epidemiological profile 2024 [PDF]. https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/150224-WAStateSTIEpidemiologicalProfile2024.pdf
The Bottom Line
The county is measuring "Survival" (are they breathing?) while we are measuring "Quality of Life" (is the town safe?).
They have successfully kept people alive—which is a good thing—but they have done it by normalizing a level of public disorder that is destroying our neighborhoods. Don't let the shiny PowerPoint fool you: "Not Dead" is not the same thing as "Recovered."
Thank you so much! I wrote Dr. Berry a letter on Sunday asking for basically all this information you have provided.
I knee from listening to the entire presentation that important context was left out somewhere along the lines.
I know for a fact people are overdosing daily and being brought back to life without medical intervention.
I know for a fact that if those living in encampments are " away at work" during the day when cleanup efforts happen, that " work" consists of gathering money to feed the addiction. Whether that be selling yourself, flying a sign, boosting from local stores, cutting illegal firewood or stealing from hard working citezens.
I feel she is very out of touch and leaving important context out of her presentations.
Dr. Sarah, you are fired up!
Thank you
yeah, she's a real manipulator, that one...
Mind games.
I believe that lipstick was put on a pig at 21:36 and 23:45-47.
They’re Peninsula Behavioral Health — but if you have behavioral problems like autism, you’re out of luck. They don’t treat autism or help with medication management. There are no big government subsidies to fund help for autism.
How sad! Autism is not self induced like these druggies choices.
Excellent new song!
Yes!