Five people took methadone with alcohol.
Three of them died.
Two were children.
It was this event, in part, that brought about a community intervention meeting, open to everybody and free to attend.
“Here”s my commitment: I will never offer your kids alcohol or drugs,” speaker Sheeyay Brown said. The weight of his words hung heavy with the 50 or so people in the gymnasium.
Brown asked the attendees to please do the same for his children.
A funereal silence was shattered with shouts, promises and agreements.
The unnecessary, untimely loss of lives is an exposed wound for a community that is metaphorically hemorrhaging.
This was my first visit to the Boys and Girls Club of the Pomo Nation at Robinson Rancheria in Nice.
Tribal Youth Coordinator Frank Gudmundson graciously invited me to the intervention workshop that took place on Wednesday night.
I spoke with him on the phone earlier that day regarding his program called “Medication Emancipation,” that encourages prescription pill drop-off throughout Lake County during the month of June.
Gudmundson said children often overdose on prescription pills because they don”t understand that many of the pills are time-released and often they take the pills with alcohol or other drugs.
“We”re told to lock up our guns. But, pills are killing our children and adults, our community members, at a much more rapid pace,” Gudmundson said. “They think they”re going to have a good time. It might be their last time.”
Speakers implored the group to set good examples for youth.
Eagle Brown, a Big Valley Tribal Youth representative, said parents need to make a commitment to their children. “The youth are doing what they are seeing in their community,” he said. “I won”t be a teacher of using drugs or alcohol. We have to live a clean lifestyle or the kids won”t believe what we say. They are a reflection of us. We could line this gym with relatives we have lost because of drugs and alcohol. Enough is enough.”
Ka-bang, he nailed that.
The audience members clapped and nodded, faces frozen with knowing and understanding.
Sheldon Sloane, a physician”s assistant for Lake County Tribal Health offered an informative PowerPoint presentation about prescription medication addressing common problems and issues. People raised their hands, asked questions and shared valuable insight.
Ryan Runyon, director of Hilltop Recovery Services spoke briefly, offering his own experiences and background as well as information for those who are in need of recovery services.
“It”s a crisis. Not just prescription drugs, but drugs across the board,” Runyon said. “I want everybody to get better. I wouldn”t care if you guys put me out of a job. I”d be glad.”
Linda Laing, Hospice director of bereavement, acknowledged that the community suffered a great loss. “We live in the shadow of grief,” she said.
Physical, emotional, cultural, spiritual and psychological implications of drug use were explored meaningfully.
The event opened and closed with prayers offered by Thomas Brown.
Gudmundson said he plans to host many more intervention workshops.
In my opinion it”s a fantastic idea. It was well-organized, informative and informal.
I walked away with a heightened understanding of the issues and scope of the problems that people in Lake County face.
Thanks, Frank.
The solution-based theme provided hope. I respect the demand for personal responsibility.
I am excited to see the outcome of the pill drop-off services. I am confident that at least a few lives will be spared and saved.
Pills can always be dropped off at fire stations and pharmacies. Do not dispose of pills down drains or toilets and always keep dangerous prescriptions locked up.
So, check your medicine cabinet, drawers, shelves, night stands and anywhere else you might store prescriptions that are outdated or no longer needed. Become a part of this lifesaving plan.
For more information call Frank Gudmundson at 533-5883.
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee managing editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32.
