Local residents will get a chance to voice their concerns on a proposed mental health tax initiative. The Port Orchard City Council set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, for input on the Kitsap County Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan that could generate between $2.8 million and $3.4 million annually. The meeting is in the City Hall Council Chambers, 216 Prospect St. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Council could support or oppose the resolution. Persons wishing to provide input may submit their comments in writing to the city clerks office no later than 4:30 p.m. Tuesday or in person during the public hearing. For more information, call the city clerks office at (360) 876-4407. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the council could take action by adopting a resolution in support or opposition. Persons wishing to provide input may submit their comments in writing to the city clerks office no later than 4:30 p.m. Tuesday or in person during the public hearing. A group which includes judges, health and hospital officials is proposing a one-tenth of 1 percent increase of the sales and use tax that would provide funds for the provision … Continue reading →

GREENVILLE While the exact long-term effects of using the new synthetic drug, K2, are unknown, experts say they are harmful and potentially deadly. In my professional opinion, from a longitudinal standpoint, we dont know the long-term effects, Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, student affairs coordinator for Texas A&M University-Commerce, and an expert on the drug, said. We dont know how deadly it will be. Hendricks has presented K2 facts before the 82nd Texas Legislative session and was a speaker at the International Conference on Drugs and Addictions, held in San Jose, Costa Rica. Although more research is needed to verify the long term effects it has on the body, recent studies has shown the drug stores itself in the fatty tissue of the body and impacts all major internal organs. And they also believe it to be linked with causing kidney and liver disease. I cannot overemphasize the dangers of this drug, he said. I am here to say its deadly. K2s main ingredient is the chemical compound JHW-018, and is on average 20 times more potent than marijuana. These street chemists can change one compound in the chemical and its more powerful, he said. The potency only goes higher and higher. … Continue reading →

BARSTOW Barstow Community Hospital staff are trained to detect drug abuse among pregnant women, which is important since between 10 and 12 percent of mothers admitted have a drug addiction, with the most prevalent drug being methamphetamine, according to Obstetrics Nurse Lauren Stapp. Its a significant concern because when we find mothers who have a drug dependency it has a major impact on the pregnancy, OB Director Susan Wooley said. For instance, cocaine addiction causes premature delivery and it can affect the babys development. The hospital has a contractual agreement with Pomona Valley Hospital for transportation and care of high-risk and preterm babies as Barstow Community doesnt have a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We need a little more resources in the community because of transportation problems, Stapp said. According to Wooley, when a mother comes in and shows signs of drug abuse the hospital must first do a drug screening. If the drug screening is positive, it is reported to Child Family Services. We are required by law as a health care provider to report it, Wooley said. But in the process, we do everything we can to provide the support to assist them and help them get on their … Continue reading →