Facing the opioid crisis
EDITOR: Several residents of Northern Sonoma County have been leading an effort on a volunteer basis to prepare for and suggest approaches to reduce the risk of harm to local residents from the growing opiate epidemic. As reported by the Sonoma County Health Department, in 2016, an estimated 5.7 percent of people ages 12 years and older (25,462 individuals) misused opioids in Sonoma County, with 22 deaths in the county attributed to opioid use in 2016 alone. Most observers believe that the opioid epidemic may be the single greatest factor decreasing the life expectancy of Americans to below that of previous generations. The community coalition includes Alliance Medical Center, Healdsburg District Hospital, AAUW Healdsburg Branch, Soroptomist International of Healdsburg, Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County, Corazón Healdsburg and local officials, including the Healdsburg chief of police and the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. Additional local organizations are planning to join this effort.
The steering committee includes Dr. Dave Anderson, retired physician from Healdsburg Primary Care, Dr. Walt Maack, retired medical director from the Emergency Department at Healdsburg District Hospital and Terry Leach, a health care attorney and RN who serves as a co vice-chair of Alliance Medical Center and as a director on the board of AAUW, Healdsburg Branch.
The task force is planning for a large community education event on Wednesday, October 3 at 7 p.m. at the Raven Performing Arts Theater. This event, which will feature a documentary and a panel discussion, will be free to the public. The goal of the community event is to describe the breadth of the opiate epidemic nationally and here in our community in Sonoma County, as well as to describe resources for families and communities to help prepare for this public health emergency locally.Â
Members of the public and local agencies and non-profit organizations that are interested in working with the task force and/or supporting the efforts of the coalition are invited to contact the steering committee at Ha********************@al***************.org.
Terry J. Leach
Healdsburg
Need to know situation
EDITOR: At the last Council meeting, it was agreed to proceed with the pre-zoning of the area north of Arata Lane adjacent to Los Amigos Road and Highway 101, which will/may lead to its annexation into the town limits and development of homes and a school. This step, called a first reading, will be finalized at the council’s July 18 meeting. This action received unanimous support with the caveat by this council member, that this annexation and expansion of our town be our priority and the other annexation, the Jensen Lane area at our eastern border, be declined.
I have stated my belief that the town has been working for developers and not for our residents for sometime. We have experienced little growth in the past ten years–two apartments and a handful of single-family homes. It seems as though we are growing as traffic and our needs increase. Over my objection, it was announced a workshop will be held by the council on Wednesday, July 11.
I suppose it is up to me to tell you, the workshop is to consider the Jensen Lane expansion/annexation. So much for priority development, town centered “smart” growth, preservation of open space and opposition to urban sprawl. Many of us are living in good times, some not so good, but these are uncomfortable times. This letter will not be well received by the council as after all, they, as well as town staff, are doing their job.
What is it about the Jensen Lane proposed development that drives me to be less than the supportive council member I would like to be? The Jensen Lane development is about the conversion of almost 60 acres of prime agriculture land currently producing world-class wine grapes. It is on our very eastern edge. It could be providing a buffer from potential wild fires coming over the hills. It could be providing for storm water recharge. It is that open space in a very beautiful area of Windsor that when surveyed, Windsor residents placed most importance on protecting.
Is this just about money? Fifty acres of premium vineyards, producing four tons per acre at $2000 per ton equates to $400,000 per year. Two hundred-fifty homes selling at $700,000 equates to $175 million dollars. I expect it is the one time profit in this conversation of open space agricultural land that is the motivation. I believe we do live in a chosen spot on earth, just as Luther Burbank said. I’m asking you to weigh in on this project. Support it, oppose it, just let me and the council know. Attend the workshop on July 11 at 6 p.m. at town hall, email us or talk to us at the Town Green Thursday Night concerts. This is a need to know situation.
Sam Salmon
Windsor
