I went to two public meetings held recently in Sequim about the planned medication-assisted treatment campus and I am 100 percent in support.
Our region has tremendous need and this treatment method for opioid dependence is effective like no other.
Unlike walk-in/walk-out centers, MAT treats the whole person.
Several people bravely spoke up at the meetings to say that it was treatment in a MAT program that let them reclaim their lives.
Our community will be extremely fortunate to have the MAT clinic in Sequim.
The Jamestown S’Klallam tribe, with a team including Olympic Medical Center, Jefferson Healthcare, and Peninsula Behavioral Health have worked hard to plan an accessible, local clinic for local people.
Because the tribe gets reimbursed by Medicaid at a generous rate that would otherwise make this facility impossible, our whole community gets the benefit.
They will address any concerns and they invite anyone to ask questions.
Yet tragically one new group, called Save Our Sequim, via postcards, and at the two recent meetings, has used false and inflammatory disinformation to incite fear, anger and mistrust.
While concern is understandable, this looks like an intentional attempt to divide the community and this project is far too important to let that happen.
I urge all those interested to get the facts, ask questions, and lead with compassion for our friends and neighbors struggling with opioid dependency.
Lisa Dekker,
Port Angeles