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| Exec McClure |
McClure kicked things off in a conference room filled mostly by about 25 recovery specialists and human services employees. He explained that Fake is Real is actually a three-part program - triage, treatment and triumph. "We are very much in the triage phase," he observed, He added that "fighting fentanyl is one of the top priorities of my administration."
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| DA Baratta |
Why do I say that Fake is Real may have saved lives? Because that's what the data from the state Department of Health show. In 2020, there were 94 opioid overdose deaths in Northampton County. That trend continued in 2021 (96 deaths) and 2022 (81 deaths). The preliminary figures for calendar year 2023 reveal 45 fatal overdose deaths. While the avoidable death of just one person is tragic, it appears that the county awareness campaign played a role in saving some lives. McClure was a little hesitant to pat himself on the back, noting that drug interdictions at the Mexico-US border may be another factor.
DA Baratta announced his full support of Fake is Real. He stated that he plans on reaching out to every high school in the county this year to discuss the dangers of fentanyl. "The horrible part about this crisis is that no one is safe," he said. "It is insidious."
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| D&A Administrator Jiorle |
I would make this addition to Baratta's argument. We live is a world of supply and demand. If the imported supply diminishes but demand remains high, that will just stimulate more domestic production. Fake is Real is intended to reduce demand, which in turn makes supply irrelevant.
Drug and Alcohol Administrator Kathy Jiorle, who administers Fake is Real, gave a "by the numbers" report:
15 - Narcan training events
286 - individuals trained to use Narcan
1378 - Narcan kits distributed
14 - events attended by Fake is Real,
131 - agencies have received Fake is Real products.
At an event in Wilson Borough Jiorle was approached by a grandfather who took a kit and said he wished he had one when his daughter died of an overdose. He now raises her child.
Kudo's Sarah Clark, who administers the Fake is Real webpage, said it includes a digital memorial for loved ones who have passed away. You can sign up at the webpage for a monthly newsletter that provides up-to-date details ion the awareness campaign.
McClure's Fake is Real appears to have saved lives. This is probably his most significant achievement as Executive. One of those lives saved might one day save yours.
34 comments:
Without comparative studies from other counties, it is impossible to tie this program to any decrease in demand. Providing Narcan like other counties aliso do is important. As well as in school programs. The rest is PR. As to McClure being hesitant to pat himself on the back, that would be a real first.
An increasingly Godless world is a world that's losing its guardrails. You're damn right it's demand. Marx was correct, in a sense, that religion is opium for the masses. As we've lost our religion, we've turned to actual opiates.
Lamont’s most significant achievement is the tax cut.
I like this blog better when you’re holding McClure accountable.
I give McClure a B+ as Executive.
It's sad it's come to this but its the right thing to do. I had a family member OD and pass away. This is a reboot of the opium wars from the 1800s. Wake up people we need to fight back against China before its too late.
Dumbass
Triage, Treatment and Triumph. That has Susie Q written all over it.
That Kathy Jirole should run for Executive. She’s a great public speaker.
Thank God for Terry Houck
"It's sad it's come to this but its the right thing to do. I had a family member OD and pass away."
I am sorry that happened to you. I know two title searchers who lost their children to fentanyl poisoning. One lost a son she adored, who was not even a heavy user. The other lost a daughter. That drug killed their children and left their parents empty. No parent should see her child die.
"I like this blog better when you’re holding McClure accountable."
Holding him accountable should always include pointing out when he is doing something right. I credit him and Terry Houck for starting it, and Lamont and Steve Baratta for continuing it. I do consider the impact this has had to be his most significant achievement as Exec. He also set up testing centers for COVID when it was very hard to get the test kits. He was also the first or among the first to actually set up an isolation ward at the county nursing home. He even installed an air filter at government buildings that remove harmful bacteria from the air. He re-established a crosswalk from the courthouse to a visitor parking lot. Prior to him doing those, several people were struck and seriously injured by cars. He deserves credit for all these things. I realize that he and Council have their issues and he certainly is part of the reason for it, but let's not lose sight of the reality that he has done many positive things that have had a beneficial impact. Some of this has been with the help of council and some has been on his own.
Wonderlaowski might be the most innovative Human Services Director we’ve ever had. Where does she get these ideas ?
Lamont should forget Fentanyl and focus on Elections.
'Without comparative studies from other counties, it is impossible to tie this program to any decrease in demand."
It was mentioned that the decrease in OD deaths over the past year exceeds that of surrounding counties, but the hard data were not provided. The online data is not up to date, but the data that do exist show a drop.
Yeah what a great accomplishment don't pay your employees then brag about tax cuts. He makes his numbers off the skin of this county employees that he doesn't give thier raises.
This campaign is a colossal waste of money from a county that has consistently failed the community, people who use drugs, and impacted family members. The campaign Mark itself is inaccurate and nothing more than another fear mongering tactic. It's completely unethical to report on overdose numbers that have NOT been confirmed and the numbers provided on the outreach is dismal and nothing to be celebrated. But I expect nothing less from a corrupt county and SCA. If the county wants to save lives then distribute drug checking tools, implement syringe service programs, make treatment accessible and actually do something about dangerous providers and the lack of quality and EVIDENCED BASED treatment available.
The Voodoo that Kudu does ?
What the hell is SCA, society for creative anachronisms? Syringe service programs just make it easier to stay addicted. Don't be stupid.
Seems like like has been focused on creating manufacturing jobs lately. Glad he’s finding the time to fight Fentanyl.
Looks like Lamont is sporting a mullet. My man!
The math doesn’t add up. Where’s the money coming from. McClure brags about tax cuts and budget cutting, but finds money for Fentanyl billboards ?
Ron Heckman is the greatest Human Services guy ever !
"The math doesn’t add up. Where’s the money coming from. McClure brags about tax cuts and budget cutting, but finds money for Fentanyl billboards ?"
I explained where the money comes from. Learn to read.
"What the hell is SCA, society for creative anachronisms? Syringe service programs just make it easier to stay addicted. Don't be stupid."
Looked for a while and, though it follows logically, I couldn't find any studies or research confirming this. Could you link to the evidence you're basing your conclusion off of? Email is tdking0705@gmail.com if you'd like to send it there. Thank you!
No matter how anyone tries to spin it, ALL government funding, including grants, comes from YOU, ME, and everyone else who WORKS and pays taxes. Sometimes, I believe many Americans don’t understand this. Our politicians give out OUR money.
Understanding that, I consider funding this program to be a legitimate and worthy purchase.
Your love for McClure has always been evident. He does like to do flashy things with press conferences with his impassioned speeches. Maybe he could put the same energy in staffing issues like forced mandating to cover up real staff shortages he denies, as well as pay inequities for staff. That is not as newsworthy as drug addiction billboards or being a late to the table warehouse warrior, but it is part of his job.
China's payback to the west for the Opium Wars has been a long time coming and is a terribly cold revenge.
He’s running again, so expect he will be pointing out the do good efforts from his administration, and so will you. He is not bad county manager, but his people skills are lacking, and now with the additions of Kraft, Keegan, and Warren, he will be vicariously moving his agenda through them. Sneaky to a degree, but the 3 McTeers will carry his water. The bad end is that he has no bipartisan power to complete a thing, unless he cuts some deals. Popcorn tonite for the pick of number 9.
Good to see our county commissioner tackle a serious problem. This deserves praise. Had Lynch won the job, his response would have been to take twelve (or was it twenty?) strong men to the border.
If Lynch was Executive, there’d be no issue with shared needles.
Would love to see more of this money go to local Veteran groups that assist with addiction resources. From speaking with them, they do not have enough money to meet local demands. Northampton County gives them very little money if anything.
For the record, they are commissioners by choice and label only, they are still councilmen and councilwomen
There are many reasons why drug use is rampant, not only in this County, but across the state. Most addicts either don't want treatment, or fail to successfully complete when treatment is offered, often leaving the facility AMA. Treatment providers 30-40 years ago were in the business to treat patients and help them engage back into society. Today it is a business where treatment providers admit patients, "treat' them 7-14 days at $450.00 -$700 per day and ship them out with no aftercare plan and have the next patient admitted before the bed gets cold. Norco contracts with these providers which is a hugh waste of taxpayers money and resources. I would know because I have experienced it! Treatment no longer works!
I look @ this way.
ONCE A DRUGGY ALWAYS A DRUGGY
Treatment only suppresses the urge to use again over time.
No different than a Smoker that says they QUIT & hasn't smoked for 5 years.
But then that same person is @ a Party & sees everyone else smoking & a person says have a cigarette YOU KNOW THAT PERSON IS SMOKING.
Same thing with POT / WEED people say they smoke it for pain.
I CALL B/S on that However Pot might be a tool to help aid chronic pain.
But people smoke POT to BASICALLY GET HI SIMPLE AS THAT.
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