Community support for drug users a step in the right direction

  • Saturday, January 9, 2016 5:54pm
  • Opinion

The bad news is that drug use is a serious problem in our community.

There are the impacts on individuals who struggle with addiction, as well as the social costs borne by the entire community — higher crime rates and strains on social services, for example.

The good news is that, little by little, our community is taking steps to address the issue.

This past week, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly introduced in ordinance that would facilitate the purchase of a building in Soldotna for Central Peninsula Hospital to turn into a transitional living facility for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

It’s a type of facility sorely lacking in our community. The hospital’s Serenity House, a residential treatment facility, has a 30-day maximum stay. After that, there’s not a lot of options for people in recovery if they don’t already have a place to stay — which according to Bruce Richards, government and external affairs manager for the hospital, is about 40 percent those leaving Serenity House.

In years past, there has been reluctance to see transition housing and treatment facilities established on the central Kenai Peninsula — expressed as concerns over having “those types of people” in the community. We’ve seen those fears expressed over not just those recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, but also about those trying to rise above homelessness.

What that attitude overlooks, however, is that “those people” are just as much a part of the community. Helping those in need with the tools to become contributing members of the community again is just as much an investment as it is an expense.

The investment in CPH’s transitional living plan appears reasonable. The hospital has lined up grants to cover $1.1 million of the sale and construction costs; an additional $395,000 would come from the hospital’s Plant Replacement and Expansion Fund. An additional pending grant could further reduce that cost.

There are many aspects to addressing substance abuse issues. We’re glad to see the effort going toward helping those affected overcome addiction and move forward with their lives.

More in Opinion

Screenshot. (https://dps.alaska.gov/ast/vpso/home)
Opinion: Strengthening Alaska’s public safety: Recent growth in the VPSO program

The number of VPSOs working in our remote communities has grown to 79

Soldotna City Council member Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL candidate forum series, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: I’m a Soldotna Republican and will vote No on 2

Open primaries and ranked choice voting offer a way to put power back into the hands of voters, where it belongs

Nick Begich III campaign materials sit on tables ahead of a May 16, 2022, GOP debate held in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: North to a Brighter Future

The policies championed by the Biden/Harris Administration and their allies in Congress have made it harder for us to live the Alaskan way of life

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Vote yes to retain Judge Zeman and all judges on your ballot

Alaska’s state judges should never be chosen or rejected based on partisan political agendas

A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Point of View: District 6 needs to return to representation before Vance

Since Vance’s election she has closely aligned herself with the far-right representatives from Mat-Su and Gov. Mike Dunleavy

The Anchor River flows in the Anchor Point State Recreation Area on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Opinion: Help ensure Alaskans have rights to use, enjoy and care for rivers

It is discouraging to see the Department of Natural Resources seemingly on track to erode the public’s ability to protect vital water interests.

A sign directing voters to the Alaska Division of Elections polling place is seen in Kenai, Alaska, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Vote no on Ballot Measure 2

A yes vote would return Alaska to party controlled closed primaries and general elections in which the candidate need not win an outright majority to be elected.

Derrick Green (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 will help businesses and communities thrive

It would not be good for the health and safety of my staff, my customers, or my family if workers are too worried about missing pay to stay home when they are sick.

A sign warns of the presence of endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales at the Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Could an unnecessary gold mine drive Cook Inlet belugas extinct?

An industrial port for the proposed Johnson Tract gold mine could decimate the bay

Cassie Lawver. Photo provided by Cassie Lawver
Point of View: A clear choice

Sarah Vance has consistently stood up for policies that reflect the needs of our district