Eureka Volunteer Award honored and report on Meth Abuse given at the morning session of Board of Supervisors

A proclamation for International Women's Day, which will be celebrated locally in Arcata this Saturday,  and another proclamation recognizing the Eureka Volunteer Patrol by Supervisor Virginia Bass during this morning's session.

Virginia explained to the audience why this group was important to her. She was a member of the Volunteer Patrol for a while when she was on Eureka City Council. She explained about what they do and shared an anecdote about one of her memorable experiences. She was on patrol with Bob Gish when they received a call about a dead body which turned out to be " a dead deer carcass." Virginia had to "bag the carcass."

Noting that she only served for a time, and these members had served anywhere from 6 to 18+ years for many, Virginia said of each of them. "takes an amazing individual to do this all the time."

Supervisor Rex Bohn helped Virginia as she handed out certificates to each individual. Chief Andy Mills said that this group saved over $1 million with the time they put in and Rex reminded people who live outside Eureka that there is the Sheriff's Citizen Patrol.

This kind of service is something that you can do as a neighbor and involved citizen and help keep your neighborhood safe.

DHHS staff gave a report of Meth Abuse. Highlights of that presentation"

"It gives a sense of excitement that makes it very attractive to people. It uppresses hunger and desire to sleep. It's relatively cheap and unfortunately plentiful (in availability)."

A comment of "There is no quality control and so it's by products are very destructive to individuals" led to a quip by Rex, "Is there any quality control of illegal drugs." F

Factors contributing to use cited were favorable community attitude towards alcohol and drugs, childhood traumas, multi-generational use, economic factors and incarceration. DHHS staff did added factors does not mean people should not be held accountable for their choices and actions.

In 1980s, meth was manufactured in clandestine labs and distributed by biker gangs. Currently, it is Mexican products and smuggling.

Meth Awarness Initiatives were mentioned. Poly drug use and use of non-medical pharmaceuticals were the top 2 substances compared to alcohol. 21.5% of probation caseload is meth-related convictions.

Supervisor Estelle Fennell, "It is good to have information that you can recover from this addiction." Supervisor Ryan Sundberg also shared a personal story of a friend and mentioned Fred Lamberson who now runs Teen Challenge as successes who have recovered from a former life of drug abuse.

Estelle asked, "What can be done legislatively to address issues?"

Bill Damiano, from Probation, said funding for compulsory treatment "went away" and that most people are compelled to treatment by court. "We can't put them in jail because of changes of law."

Two public speakers, one from Crossroads said that while the women's beds were full, only 6 of 16 beds for men were full. Another speaker also addressed funding and red tape as "hurdles for treatment."