Coalition Awarded Grant
To Cut Substance Misuse
Sitka Counseling–Healing Our People and Environment (HOPE) Coalition has been awarded a second five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Drug-Free Communities Support Program to address youth substance misuse and other prevention efforts.
The Drug-Free Communities Support Program provides $125,000 per year with a local $125,000 per year “in-kind” match from Sitka Counseling. Through this funding, the HOPE Coalition is able to bring community partners together to work on shared concerns and issues affecting the health and wellbeing of the community.
Since the HOPE Coalition’s inception in 2015, more than $1.7 million in grant funding and prevention-related “goods” such as medication disposal bags, NARCAN kits, prescription drop boxes and educational materials have been provided free to the community. With the local “in-kind” match, more than $3.4 million has been provided for prevention efforts since 2015.
Program funds have also supported such things as teen and family fun nights, free movies, Indigenous Peoples Day, Native American Heritage Month, the Birds and Benches Project (installation of the Elizabeth Peratrovich Bench in front of Centennial Hall with more to come), more than $16,000 to student activities at the middle and high schools, the Sitka Health Summit Planning Day, the Community Recreation Initiative, PRIDE Support, the Shelter Sitka project, the Baranof Statue project, DEA National Drug Take Back Days, community education and other projects.
The purpose of the HOPE Coalition is to establish and strengthen collaboration among individuals, organizations and Tribal and non-Tribal governmental agencies operating at the local, regional, state, and national levels. Through this collaborative effort, the goal is to prevent and reduce substance misuse among youths, young adults, and, over time, older adults.
‘‘We believe this would be achieved by reducing the risk factors in our community which contribute to substance misuse, increasing protective factors which reduce substance misuse and support positive social norms, attitudes, and behaviors, and addressing systemic issues affecting health and wellbeing such as historical trauma, the impact of colonization/colonialism and other culturally related aspects,’’ said Loyd Platson, Sitka Counseling prevent director.
The HOPE Coalition meets in person on the second Thursday of each month starting at 3:30 p.m. at the See House behind St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. A Zoom link is available via the HOPE Coalition page on Sitka Counseling’s website (sitkacounseling.org).
For information, visit the HOPE Coalition’s page and the prevention page on the sitkacounseling.org website, contact Loyd Platson by phone at 907 747-3636, ext. #226, or email the prevention department at prevention@scpsak.org.
Friends Seeking
Board Members
The Friends of Sitka Public Library is seeking three book-loving Sitkans to serve on its board of directors.
Positions are temporary as the Friends will hold an annual meeting and election in March.
‘‘It is a perfect opportunity to learn about the Friends before making a longer-term commitment,’’ the group said.
Call or text Kari at 752-READ to apply.
Water Customers
Getting Notice
The city is in the process of bringing the secondary water treatment plant online and customers may notice pressure and flow fluctuations as well as cloudy water.
Those who experience any of these should run the cold water for a few minutes until it clears.
Call the public works department with questions at 907-747-1804.
BIHA Board
Meeting Nov. 2
Baranof Island Housing Authority’s monthly board of commissioners meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 via Zoom.
Those wishing to participate may submit an email request to info@bihasitka.org before noon on Nov. 2. A phone option also is available. A request can be submitted at the same email address for phone instructions.
Body of Christ
Ministries in Sitka
Billy Graham Paulose from Body of Christ Ministries in India will present programs in Sitka on Sunday, Oct. 30.
He will speak at 10:30 a.m. at the Sitka Christian Center, 502 Hirst Street; 2:30 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Sitka, 502 Hirst Street; and 6 p.m. at ChristImage, 215 Smith Street, Suite A.
He and his extended family have been serving the people of their native India since 1979.
Call Pastor Dug Jensen at 907-747-5454 with any questions.
Keet PAC Held
To Discuss Title 1
Keet Gooshi Heen elementary school will hold a PAC meeting to discuss Title 1 programs and requirements 11:30 a.m. Friday in the school’s multipurpose room.
Teen Advisory
Board to Meet
Sitka Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board will meet 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the library.
The board is looking for new members and all teens 13 to 16 years can join.
Board members will have exclusive opportunity to help select materials for the library’s collection, plan programs, gain volunteer experience, and promote the library throughout the community.
Snacks and free new books will be provided to all participants. For information call the library at 747-4020 or e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org.
National Drug
Take Back Day
On Saturday
The Alaska Department of Health is encouraging Sitkans to participate in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Centennial Hall.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which happens in the fall and spring, encourages households to safely dispose of unneeded medications from their homes to prevent potential medication misuse and addiction.
On Saturday, the DEA and its partners will collect prescription drugs including tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of medication at a number of collection sites across the state.
Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharp items, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.
‘‘Most drugs should not be flushed in a toilet or thrown in the trash,’’ a news release from the DOH said. ‘‘Alaskans can also get safe drug disposal bags from their local public health center to deactivate certain drugs, such as opioids, before disposal.’’
Bags are currently available free of charge at many State of Alaska Public Health Centers. Call the local public health center to check on availability.
Trunk-or-Treat Event
Slated at Elks Lodge
Trunk-or-Treat will be held 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Sitka Elks Lodge parking lot.
Vehicles, decorated and staffed by Sitka Emblem Club members and volunteers, will be offering treats for youths in a safe trick-or-treating space.
All family members are welcome and costumes are being encouraged.
