APC focuses on improving the health of drug users in the county
I would like to thank reporter William Roller for his article “Nonprofit Honors Survivors” which appeared in the Saturday, Sept 9 edition of the Record Bee. It detailed the efforts of the harm reduction organization, Any Positive Change (APC) which focuses on improving the health of drug users in our county. Members of APC had gathered at the courthouse to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day. APC wanted to recognize and remember not only survivors of drug overdose, but those who lost their lives to drug use.
Roller’s lengthy and informative article described in great detail the efforts of APC to act as a harm reduction agency to give users support and options. The article also quoted Elsie Jones, Director of Lake County Behavioral Health Services, who described her agency’s many interventions that are available. What was interesting to me was the response of the county health department. A representative was quoted as saying that “they were unaware of any activities of Any Positive Change.” I know for a fact that APC has been discussed at Board of Supervisors’ meetings several times, often contentiously. It is ludicrous to think that the health department could be unaware of them.
I hope that after reading Roller’s article people have a fuller, more realistic picture of the work that Any Positive Change is doing on our county. It is so much more than “just a needle exchange program”. It really does focus on harm reduction and all that that implies: food, shelter, clothing, counseling, job skills. If we want to improve our image to the outside world we have to address the negative stereotype of Lake County as a drug haven. But more than that, I believe we have a moral obligation to our fellow human beings to care for them, to care about them, and not turn our backs on the neediest among us.
—Carolynn Jarrett, Clearlake
A kind act for a deserving veteran to another
In early August I took my wife and daughter to the Saw Shop restaurant in Kelseyville for my wife’s birthday The food was delicious and the service was great. When we had finished our meal, the waiter brought me the bill on which in very neat handwriting was the following note “From one vet to another, thank you for your service”. The waiter informed me that my benefactor had already left the restaurant and wished to remain antonymous. I was astounded and humbled!
When I go out in public I normally wear one of my many Navy caps to shield my head from the sun. I do not seek any kind of publicity or recognition for my 31 years of service, but occasionally a passerby will thank me for my service which I think is very kind. Old age has forced me to walk with a cane, but I do not have any kind of combat related injuries.
That kind act by a fellow veteran really touched me! I think that act speaks not only patriotism, but of kindness and thoughtfulness of the individual. Since I can not thank my benefactor personally, my wife and I have decided to donate a sum equal to our bill to the “Wounded Warriors Project’. which in some small way recognizes the act of kindness and patriotism exhibited by my fellow veteran. Like he, I also wish to remain anonymous.
I love my country, and served in gratitude for all it has given me and my family.
—Ilmars Krasts, CAPT USN Ret., Lakeport
