I am writing you to express my complete support of the Jamestown Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT) facility in Sequim.
I have almost 50 years of law enforcement experience.
I have been involved in thousands of arrests and convictions of individuals addicted to drugs.
These arrests and convictions have involved people from all walks of life including doctors, lawyers, law enforcement officers, elected officials, clerks and unemployed individuals.
Many times these drug users have attempted to self-treat and get off the drug habit.
Self treatment is not the answer.
Drug abuse treatment requires a multiple support system from safe drugs to counseling and monitoring of the patients system to assure they are not continuing to abuse any drugs.
The proposed Jamestown MAT is needed to treat and serve the Jefferson and Clallam county drug abusers.
This is at no cost to the city, county or other government offices.
Clallam County has a major drug abuse problem and the MAT is an asset toward the treatment of abusers and the reduction of drug addicted individuals living in our midst.
These drug users are hiding in plain sight and may even be members of our family.
The MAT facility is like a life ring thrown onto the sea of drug users allowing them to be rescued and resume a normal life without drugs.
Please consider this facility as a real asset to our city and county.
Sterling B. Epps
Sequim
Epps’ experience includes service as a special assistant to director of the U.S. Marshal Service, deputy chief of police in Port Angeles and as a longtime volunteer for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.