Keep the gift
A Jan. 12 letter “Gift to community” states law enforcement has expressed a positive assessment of the proposed MAT clinic.
Did the writer speak directly to the officers who will be on the front lines with an influx of hundreds of addicts daily?
And what about our already over-burdened emergency services and hospital?
Per “The Impact of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Opioid Treatment Center on Clallam County Fire District No. 3” by Fire Chief Ben Andrews, following are potential impacts of MAT:
“It’s inferred from the emphasis on wrap around care that at least some patients will be in less than adequate physical health.
These patients may experience an event requiring an evaluation by a paramedic and possibly transport to the hospital.”
A table shows potential side effects of medications to be used.
“A majority of the side effects listed in table 1 will typically result in a 911 response and request for a paramedic evaluation and possible transport to a hospital.”
Campus hours occur when demand for the Fire District’s response is at its highest.
During these hours the district is “already strained to meet the demand for responses.”
Finally, “The District’s first awareness of this project was when the story was published in the Peninsula Daily News…the JSKT has not provided information to the Fire District in advance, nor has it approached the district since the announcement.”
If this is their way of caring about our community, they can keep their gift.
Kathy Trainor
Port Angeles