Signs have appeared around our area objecting to the proposed medication-assisted treatment clinic behind Costco in Sequim.
My wife and I wanted to find the facts so we attended the open forum and listened to the speakers.
We heard Dr. Tom Locke describe the drastic local need for this clinic.
He said Clallam County had the second highest rate of opioid deaths in the state.
Clallam Sheriff Bill Benedict told the crowd that he carefully checked an identical sister facility and found no security risks or concerns.
Brent Simcosky, Jamestown Tribe health director, described how each visit was a complete treatment lasting on average about four hours with a cure rate for opioid addiction of about 80 percent.
He explained that it’s a medical treatment clinic, not a methadone site.
Finally Ron Allen told how the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe recognized the need and invested $3 million of their own money to buy the land.
The site appears to be well suited and properly zoned for this use.
Allen indicated that the tribe will run the facility to help local people free themselves of opioid addiction.
This appears to be a much needed medical facility for our area. The site is commercial and not in anyone’s backyard.
The sheriff says it does not present a security issue.
We have partners willing to invest and experienced to run it.
The funds are available to build it.
It appears to be a win for our community.
I believe we should embrace this facility.
Donald Hatler
Sequim