Zylazine Awareness
Dear Editor: I am writing to shed light on a pressing concern that has recently surfaced: the potential dangers associated with the presence of xylazine in Alaska. Recent reports have indicated an alarming trend of this dangerous sedative being found in illicit drugs within the United States, posing a significant threat to the public health and safety of our community in Sitka.
Xylazine, primarily used as a sedative for animals, has unfortunately made its way into Alaska’s illicit drug market. Its addition to street drugs amplifies the risks associated with substance misuse, presenting a new and formidable challenge to our communities. The consequences of xylazine use can be severe, including respiratory depression, cardiovascular complications, and even high rates of overdose death when combined with other substances most commonly fentanyl. The presence of xylazine in street drugs heightens the unpredictability of these substances, making them considerably more hazardous for users. This poses a serious concern for our health care system, law enforcement, and first responders, as they face increased challenges in addressing the health consequences and providing adequate care to those affected.
Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach. First and foremost, raising awareness about the dangers of xylazine-laced drugs is paramount. Education campaigns targeting both the general public and at-risk populations can help individuals make informed decisions and seek help when needed.
Additionally, ensuring access to substance misuse treatment, harm reduction services, and overdose prevention resources is crucial in safeguarding the well-being of our communities. Furthermore, collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies, health care providers, community organizations, and policymakers are essential. Together, we can develop and implement strategies to identify and prevent the distribution of xylazine and fentanyl-laced drugs, while also providing support to individuals struggling with substance misuse.
As Alaskans, it is imperative that we unite in addressing this emerging threat. By prioritizing education, prevention, and support, we can work towards ensuring the safety and health of all our community members. For more information about Xylazine, please reach out to prevention@scpsak.org
Jason Own with
Sitka Counseling & Prevention
SEARHC Home Health
Dear Editor: Recently Dr. Elliott Bruhl, SEARHC’s senior vice president and chief medical officer, addressed the Sitka Assembly.
During his presentation Dr. Bruhl repeated his assertion that only a small number of patients were actually affected by SEARHC’s changes to Home Health. The doctor brought handouts which included a graph of Home Health Visits to emphasize this point.
The graph shows a relatively steady census of about 20 some patients from November 2021 and November 2022.
Coincidently, 2022 was the deadliest year of the pandemic for Alaskans. January 2022 set records as Delta surged; July 11, 2022, the CDC showed Sitka on High Alert for three weeks in a row.
Home Health visits fluctuated. In some localities visits went up due to tele-health and direct discharge to home with Home Health services. For many others, visits plummeted due to fear of exposure, lack of staff and families assuming patient care.
But, what were the numbers pre-pandemic? Could those years give a more accurate picture of how Sitka utilized Home Health?
Dr. Bruhl spoke of SEARHC’s partnerships with Brave Heart Volunteers, Center for Community and SAIL. He highlighted their devotion to community and the many ways they help. But, this was left unsaid.
Brave Heart is not allowed to provide any direct patient care. They cannot assist with bathing or transfers, cannot give medication or medical advice.
Center for Community has a resource for caregivers. Last summer I contacted the center for help providing the care my husband would need after discharge from SEARHC. They, like the rest of us, have a difficult time finding caregivers and could not help.
SAIL is a resource for wheelchairs, assistive aids and small grants. They too cannot help with direct patient care.
It was only through the combined skills and cooperation of these remarkable organizations AND our Home Health Services that our elders and disabled remained safe in their homes; that our dying had pain control and peace in their final days and months.
SEARHC’s new “Clinic-based Home Health Services” forces a cumbersome and costly burden on patients and families. If you cannot navigate a wheelchair down your outside stairs to meet SEARHC’s free wheelchair van, you will need the Fire Department to help you.
Medicare pays 100 percent for most medical services in the home whereas the same services in a “clinic-based” setting will cost most patients a 20 percent co-pay.
My husband had a stroke. On average he received three to four physical/occupational therapy visits, two speech therapy visits and one CNA visit per week.
The physical ordeal alone would have made clinic visits impossible. The monthly 20 percent co-pays for his care would have bankrupted us. He would have been forced to transfer to a SEARHC nursing home in Wrangell where he would have undoubtedly died alone. Fortunately for Carl, he died a few days before our Home Health Services were taken away.
Home Health – in our homes – was the “glue” that held everything together.
Mary Ann Peterson, Sitka
Schools and Pollution
Dear Editor: From the l668 to1875, in England, chimney sweeps used children for this job simply because of their small size: They could fit into the narrow and enclosed spaces that adults couldn’t. These boys and girls (5 to 10 years old) rarely survived to be adolescents, suffering and then dying from multiple diseases, the worst being “chimney sweep cancer.” This is a perfect example of what happens in so-called “Free Markets.” But, there is no such thing as a “Free Market,” because someone, somewhere, somehow pays for it. “Free Market” actually means anything goes in the name of monetary profit.
You’d think that this kind behavior would be in the past, but today in Sitka, 456 years later, it is flourishing. Thousands of cruise ship passengers are being shuttled in 45-foot-long interstate motor coaches through the Blatchley Middle School Zone and the Baranof Elementary School Zone. So, instead of our children sweeping chimneys, we are driving the chimneys through our school zones and crop dusting students, faculty, staff and administrators with toxic pollutants (including, but not limited to, CO, Co2, carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, elemental carbon, asbestos, and micro particles from tire wear). Google and read: “A review of the effect of traffic-related air pollution around schools on student health and its mitigation” in the Journal of Transport and Health, volume 23, December 2021. This study concludes that among other considerations, “the government should actively reduce the number of vehicles near schools and reduce congestion.” (Page 1 paragraph 4, and page 2 paragraph 1). This scientific journal article references over 100 research studies in refereed/peer reviewed journals. These are facts not opinions.
I have two grandchildren at Blatchley Middle School this year and I will have three grandchildren at Blatchley next fall. Two of my grandchildren have medical conditions that are exacerbated by the pollution from diesel buses. After a record number of cruise ships in 2023, there are plans for even more in 2024. Cruise ships are expected in April and into October in 2024. That is, our children will be exposed to poisonous emissions at school during April, May, eight days in August, September and October.
Chris McGraw has made his position on profits over people clear: “If there’s demand to come to Sitka, and the infrastructure is available for space, as a private business owner, and if I can accommodate them with respects to my resources and my shuttle operation, I’m going to book that ship,” McGraw said. “Obviously, we have a significant investment we’ve made here over the last 10 years. And you know, the point of a for-profit business is to get a return on that investment. So we do that through customers, and our customers are the cruise ships.” As reported in the Sitka Sentinel.
Other business owners have expressed the same priority. They advocate “balance.” Well, I am not willing to balance this equation with my family on one side of the scale and money on the other. Note: greed is one of the seven deadly sins. As my wife said at the latest task force public meeting: “Our children’s air is not for sale. Our children’s safety is not for sale.” Human health and lives must not be measured in dollars and cents. Especially when these 54,000-pound motor coaches are hurtling down Halibut Point Road, Lake Street and Sawmill Creek Road to stores that sell T-shirts, fur underwear, souvenirs, fast food, and luxury items. Our children are being sacrificed for trivialities and not needs.
You’ve all heard the expression: “I’d step in front of a bus for my children” (or any loved one for that matter). Well, I am stepping in front of these buses to protect my loved ones. I want all of you to ask yourselves: “How many children should we sacrifice?” I’m betting that it’s zero if it’s your child or family member. I promise you that I will do whatever it takes to save my family. I will spend my last penny until my last breath pursuing every legal pathway to stop this outrage. Whatever the ‘‘cap,’’ there must be zero cruise ship shuttle buses poisoning our children while our schools are in session.
By Dr. Ronald E. Dick, Sitka
