Funny how things work huh? So, the petition we have started growing interest again over the past week. Today the news is saying the site at 750 Baltimore St. in Martinsburg, WV which was proposed to be the site of a drug treatment center here in our town is now being sold.
I wonder, did they set in chambers and think that it they sold the building then we'd change our minds?
Did they think we minions would back down and go away quietly? Defeated? If they did then I hate to inform them that a few keystrokes later and the words 750 Baltimore St is removed from the wording of the petition to now state, WE NEED A DRUG TREATMENT CENTER HERE.
How many more people must die struggling with this addiction before they take notice? How much higher do the numbers have to grow for the total of overdose calls to 9-11 before they take notice?
This has been going on for too many years and just one is too many. Every life matters in this epidemic!
Folks, I guess this means once again occupying the chamber meetings to make our presence known.
Checkmate!!!!
Berkeley County Moves to Sell 750 Baltimore St
Absolutely
Showing posts with label Petitions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Petitions. Show all posts
Friday, March 3, 2017
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Petition Update: A Few Signatures Gained
I was surprised to find in my inbox an email from Change dot org where our petition is listed to say that the petition has picked up some more signatures.
For those who don't know and for those who have forgotten, last year after we held the Memorial and Vigil at 750 Baltimore St. we started a petition for a treatment center here which reached out to City and County Officials alike in Martinsburg and Berkeley County, WV
In May we turned the petition in to the City Officials at a council meeting. Soon after that city meeting we learned about the Community Recovery Resource Center which would open here. We made plans for a day to deliver the petition to the county but shortly thereafter the county pulled out their plans of making 750 Baltimore St. a treatment center.
Their decision to do that stung so many of us who were hoping and praying to see this treatment center a reality for our own local people suffering from addiction. After that decision, the petition took flight once again and more signatures poured in.
I never pulled the petition down. It is still there. I have no plans of taking it down because we need a treatment center here. There is no treatment on demand here in our county. When someone is ready for help there needs to be a bed for them at that very moment. The clock starts ticking the minute they reach out for help. We on this side know this is only a short time because they can quickly change their minds, and it is often at that time while waiting on a bed so many have died from this drug.
There is nothing here so those affected by this addiction have to go many miles away- four, five, six and more hours just to get a bed. Those beds have waiting lists. How many of our own locals have lost their lives just waiting on a bed or a ride to get help?
Where this addiction is concerned, why are we still treating our people in shame? Why do we have to send them away like in the days when the young unwed pregnant women went away to have their babies because of the stigma on their family?
Shame and Blame has never been the answer to any problem- ever. I don't deny our Officials are paying attention and that there are things now in place that is needed. The Resource Center, The Day Report Center, The Drug Courts, The Detox Center which is coming soon- all of that is needed but the very first step in treatment is a bed and a treatment center.
You can read the petition Mayor of Martinsburg and Berkeley County Officials: We Need A Treatment Center
At the bottom you can also read the responses from those who have signed it. Often when I think about this epidemic, our community, those suffering, the families, the petition Dylan Thomas' poem comes to mind,
Words to the poem by: Dylan Thomas who wrote this poem in 1947 for his dying father
Post © 2017 Gossip Girl
For those who don't know and for those who have forgotten, last year after we held the Memorial and Vigil at 750 Baltimore St. we started a petition for a treatment center here which reached out to City and County Officials alike in Martinsburg and Berkeley County, WV
In May we turned the petition in to the City Officials at a council meeting. Soon after that city meeting we learned about the Community Recovery Resource Center which would open here. We made plans for a day to deliver the petition to the county but shortly thereafter the county pulled out their plans of making 750 Baltimore St. a treatment center.
Their decision to do that stung so many of us who were hoping and praying to see this treatment center a reality for our own local people suffering from addiction. After that decision, the petition took flight once again and more signatures poured in.
I never pulled the petition down. It is still there. I have no plans of taking it down because we need a treatment center here. There is no treatment on demand here in our county. When someone is ready for help there needs to be a bed for them at that very moment. The clock starts ticking the minute they reach out for help. We on this side know this is only a short time because they can quickly change their minds, and it is often at that time while waiting on a bed so many have died from this drug.
There is nothing here so those affected by this addiction have to go many miles away- four, five, six and more hours just to get a bed. Those beds have waiting lists. How many of our own locals have lost their lives just waiting on a bed or a ride to get help?
Where this addiction is concerned, why are we still treating our people in shame? Why do we have to send them away like in the days when the young unwed pregnant women went away to have their babies because of the stigma on their family?
Shame and Blame has never been the answer to any problem- ever. I don't deny our Officials are paying attention and that there are things now in place that is needed. The Resource Center, The Day Report Center, The Drug Courts, The Detox Center which is coming soon- all of that is needed but the very first step in treatment is a bed and a treatment center.
You can read the petition Mayor of Martinsburg and Berkeley County Officials: We Need A Treatment Center
At the bottom you can also read the responses from those who have signed it. Often when I think about this epidemic, our community, those suffering, the families, the petition Dylan Thomas' poem comes to mind,
"Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light" ~Dylan Thomas
Words to the poem by: Dylan Thomas who wrote this poem in 1947 for his dying father
Post © 2017 Gossip Girl
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Petition: Stop The War on Kratom
On August 31st the DEA irresponsibly placed the active compounds in kratom, Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine, into Schedule I, effective September 30.
Kratom is a tropical plant in the coffee family from Southeast Asia that has been used to help those suffering from opioid withdrawal for centuries.
Without a serious scientific investigation the DEA intends to subject anyone caught with kratom to long prison terms and mandatory sentencing. This DEA action threatens to halt all scientific investigations into kratom’s medicinal benefits in part because it will become illegal to import the kratom needed for research purposes.
With America currently suffering from an overdose epidemic linked to opioids, the DEA is criminalizing a plant many people use to help with opioid withdrawal. If the DEA gets its way, more people who struggle with addiction could be criminalized, which is exactly the opposite direction we should be going.
As your constituent I ask that you please act immediately to halt the DEA’s irresponsible action to place kratom on the list of Schedule I drugs.
Other Links:
45 Congressman Ask the DEA Not to Ban Kratom
Kratom is a tropical plant in the coffee family from Southeast Asia that has been used to help those suffering from opioid withdrawal for centuries.
Without a serious scientific investigation the DEA intends to subject anyone caught with kratom to long prison terms and mandatory sentencing. This DEA action threatens to halt all scientific investigations into kratom’s medicinal benefits in part because it will become illegal to import the kratom needed for research purposes.
With America currently suffering from an overdose epidemic linked to opioids, the DEA is criminalizing a plant many people use to help with opioid withdrawal. If the DEA gets its way, more people who struggle with addiction could be criminalized, which is exactly the opposite direction we should be going.
As your constituent I ask that you please act immediately to halt the DEA’s irresponsible action to place kratom on the list of Schedule I drugs.
Other Links:
45 Congressman Ask the DEA Not to Ban Kratom
Sunday, September 18, 2016
UPDATE On Petition: We Need Treatment On Demand
I went to Mr. James Boyd's event yesterday to Stand Up at the Gateway to the Heroin Highway! The weather was absolutely gorgeous yesterday.
I want to say at least 30 gathered on the bridge and then we went back to the ROC's to hold a meet and to talk about this heroin epidemic here in Martinsburg.
Many of you know that James has been helping a local addict to find help for about two weeks now. On Friday, Lisa was tired of living on the streets and tired of living the life of an addict. She was ready.
James called the hotline only to be put on hold and after twenty minutes or more he made some more phone calls and took her to the Substance Abuse Crisis Team at the hospital.
For a couple of weeks now I have heard some stories about the team there when someone has taken a loved one there. I shared some concerns I was having with James who got to visit and see the team first hand.
What happened there is proof that we need a treatment facility right here in Martinsburg and/or Berkeley County for our local people. When an addict is ready for help we must have treatment on demand ready for them.
When someone is suffering a heart attack or a stroke they go to the hospital. That person will get triaged in the ER, tests are run, they will go to the ICU for further medical care. They are under constant medical supervision 24/7 and will get the best of all medical care.
When someone is suffering from heroin addiction and they go to the ER there they get Narcan. They are often laughed at and put down, called a junkie and later released back to the streets where the cycle of drug abuse continues.
When a person is suffering from a heroin addiction like any other sickness or disease the bed should be ready. An addict shouldn't have to say they are suicidal and going to kill themselves to get access to a treatment facility. It should be available to them when they need it!
Something is clearly wrong with that!
When someone is ready to go get the help and the treatment they need for their addiction, the treatment center needs to be right there and ready to take that addict.
We put up a petition back in late April/early May for this treatment center to be right here in this town. The link to read and sign the petition is: Mayor of Martinsburg and Berkeley County Council
Treatment on Demand
We Need A Treatment Center in Our Town
People are still signing it! Stop by and visit the petition!
© 2016 Gossip Girl
I want to say at least 30 gathered on the bridge and then we went back to the ROC's to hold a meet and to talk about this heroin epidemic here in Martinsburg.
Many of you know that James has been helping a local addict to find help for about two weeks now. On Friday, Lisa was tired of living on the streets and tired of living the life of an addict. She was ready.
James called the hotline only to be put on hold and after twenty minutes or more he made some more phone calls and took her to the Substance Abuse Crisis Team at the hospital.
For a couple of weeks now I have heard some stories about the team there when someone has taken a loved one there. I shared some concerns I was having with James who got to visit and see the team first hand.
What happened there is proof that we need a treatment facility right here in Martinsburg and/or Berkeley County for our local people. When an addict is ready for help we must have treatment on demand ready for them.
When someone is suffering a heart attack or a stroke they go to the hospital. That person will get triaged in the ER, tests are run, they will go to the ICU for further medical care. They are under constant medical supervision 24/7 and will get the best of all medical care.
When someone is suffering from heroin addiction and they go to the ER there they get Narcan. They are often laughed at and put down, called a junkie and later released back to the streets where the cycle of drug abuse continues.
When a person is suffering from a heroin addiction like any other sickness or disease the bed should be ready. An addict shouldn't have to say they are suicidal and going to kill themselves to get access to a treatment facility. It should be available to them when they need it!
Something is clearly wrong with that!
When someone is ready to go get the help and the treatment they need for their addiction, the treatment center needs to be right there and ready to take that addict.
We put up a petition back in late April/early May for this treatment center to be right here in this town. The link to read and sign the petition is: Mayor of Martinsburg and Berkeley County Council
Treatment on Demand
We Need A Treatment Center in Our Town
People are still signing it! Stop by and visit the petition!
© 2016 Gossip Girl
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Mr Mayor, City Council...
Mr Mayor Martinsburg City Council
We are the parents of a 31 y/o son. He has battled a heroin and opiate addiction for the last 11 years. He has 2 sons ages 9 and 11. Five minutes is not enough time to tell you what this drug has done to not only our son, but our family. We are not alone.
We are the parents of a 31 y/o son. He has battled a heroin and opiate addiction for the last 11 years. He has 2 sons ages 9 and 11. Five minutes is not enough time to tell you what this drug has done to not only our son, but our family. We are not alone.
We were here last month about the proposed treatment center on Baltimore St and we
Sunday, May 15, 2016
CLARIFICATION: On Our Petition
I awoke to an inbox telling me "WE WON"
We haven't won. For one the story
Is an old story from Sept 2015.
It is true. The council purchased the former Royce Hosiery building.
The story details the roadblocks to which this will become reality. Some things mentioned was a day center
A Day Center is needed but the day center is the second step in recovery. THE FIRST STEP IS TREATMENT and we need the treatment center right here in Martinsburg/ Berkeley County to help our own local people.
WHY WOULD THEY BYPASS THE FIRST STEP OF RECOVERY?
Now to further clarify:
On March 1, 2016, The Martinsburg City Council voted against the rehab stating a petition of 300 signatures.
WE... THE MAJORITY are here to say that we have a petition of 2,000 signatures FOR this treatment center right here in Martinsburg and Berkeley County
We haven't won. For one the story
Is an old story from Sept 2015.
It is true. The council purchased the former Royce Hosiery building.
The story details the roadblocks to which this will become reality. Some things mentioned was a day center
A Day Center is needed but the day center is the second step in recovery. THE FIRST STEP IS TREATMENT and we need the treatment center right here in Martinsburg/ Berkeley County to help our own local people.
WHY WOULD THEY BYPASS THE FIRST STEP OF RECOVERY?
Now to further clarify:
On March 1, 2016, The Martinsburg City Council voted against the rehab stating a petition of 300 signatures.
WE... THE MAJORITY are here to say that we have a petition of 2,000 signatures FOR this treatment center right here in Martinsburg and Berkeley County
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Update On Our Peititon
Update: So a few of us went to the Martinsburg, WV City Council Meeting on Thursday, May 12th. I read our petition to them and at that time advised them that we did, in fact, have a petition for this treatment center.
I saw their expressions when I told them how many signatures we had acquired. They meet monthly so that gives us another month to get the extra signatures we need and more!!!!
Many thanks to you for signing, supporting and sharing the petition to get the extra signatures that we need!!
On Saturday, May 14th
Rehab Facility Proposed For East Ridge
The third Facility Proposed For Drug Rehab
Thank you Dee Stotelmyer for sharing these stories!!!
I saw their expressions when I told them how many signatures we had acquired. They meet monthly so that gives us another month to get the extra signatures we need and more!!!!
Many thanks to you for signing, supporting and sharing the petition to get the extra signatures that we need!!
On Saturday, May 14th
Rehab Facility Proposed For East Ridge
The third Facility Proposed For Drug Rehab
Thank you Dee Stotelmyer for sharing these stories!!!
Thursday, May 5, 2016
The Numbers Of This Heroin Epidemic Do Not Lie
You may have heard that a group of us are fighting for the treatment center to be right here in Martinsburg Berkeley County. There are many reasons why. Most importantly are these reasons:
If we continue to stand by and wait for others to make this decision
- No one can deny the numbers.
- The growing overdoses from heroin and opiates per day.
- The number of crimes related to heroin opiate addiction
- The number of deaths related to heroin and opiate abuse.
- The growing numbers of addicts and those who may try heroin and opiates for the first time today.
- The number of children of those addicted to heroin and opiate abuse
- The growing number of babies being born into this epidemic.
None of these numbers lie.
Due to the heroin epidemic, this is quickly escalating to a public health concern alone due to the diseases associated with IV drug use.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Feedback On Petition: Why People Will Not Sign It...
I wanted to share this here because these reasons signify that people need to be educated on drug use and this heroin epidemic. I feel these responses came from a certain Facebook Group whom some of us know really well. Here is some of the feedback I am reading, hearing and getting on why people won't sign our petition:
- You can't put a treatment center in the middle of a heroin central
- We need the money spent on the children in schools, not for the drug addicted
- We need aggressive action into stopping it not a rehab
- Provide a cost assessment for this treatment center first. We who don't have a drug problem with drugs have a problem with what our money is used for
- Stop pacifying the addicts at the taxpayer's expense
- I'm tired of working 40+ hours a week and my tax money going for able-bodied drug users
- What is the % of the success of these facilities?
- This will only work for those who want to get clean. People who OD don't want to get clean.
- I don't want my kids playing ball at Oatesdale Park next to that place.
- What about these places? (Lists lots of resources) How many more resources to facilities do you people need?
- Help the kids not the people who choose to destroy there lives. If kicking a habit and being clean is the result someone is looking for they will make a way. But I say no! Not here in town where that funding could be used in countless other places
- The money and time need to be spent to stop the drugs coming in!
- if the abusers were to be jailed and fined when caught just like a drunk driver is it may make the abuser think twice next time. Abusers know exactly what they are doing and getting themselves into - let them fend for themselves!
- A junkie is a junkie they make a choice to shoot up
- child molesters can't help themselves either they don't build treatment facilities for them. Drugs and using them is a choice
- It's not my responsibility to pay for someone's stupid mistake
- People need to educate themselves on raising their children better
So, after reading these what do you think? I honestly feel that from reading these that we definitely need some public education and awareness.
© 2016 Gossip Girl.
© 2016 Gossip Girl.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Petition Update
I scheduled this post to send yesterday evening, unfortunately Blogger didn't cooperate. I've worked with it in the past and know it can be stubborn and contrary at times. I just noticed it was still setting there waving at me.
Update on our Petition:
Update on our Petition:
Petition Update: Gaining Momentum
We started our petition on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, To the Mayor of Martinsburg, WV To Martinsburg, WV City Council and To The Berkeley County, WV County Council
Our petition continues to gain momentum and support. This morning I noticed we have 487 signatures and support for this treatment center here in Martinsburg. Thank you for the support!
We know we still have a ways to go. The facts are:
Our petition continues to gain momentum and support. This morning I noticed we have 487 signatures and support for this treatment center here in Martinsburg. Thank you for the support!
We know we still have a ways to go. The facts are:
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Petition For A Rehab Treatment Facility Here In Martinsburg, WV
We now have a petition to our Community Leaders here in Martinsburg and Berkeley County West Virginia to stop with the bureaucracy and red tape and to get this much-needed treatment center up and running...
Please help us by signing our petition and continue sharing this petition with everyone you know.
Please help us by signing our petition and continue sharing this petition with everyone you know.
Thank you for signing and for your support!
"We are in a heroin epidemic here in our community. We need the treatment facility that has been proposed at the site of 750 Baltimore St.in Martinsburg, WV. Berkeley County has reached the highest level of Drug Overdose daily in the State of West Virginia. We also have the highest Drug Overdose deaths in West Virginia. Those opposed who say "Not in my neighborhood. It's too close to churches. It's too close to the schools. My property values will drop."We've heard the excuses Not in your neighborhood? Look around you. It's in everyone's neighborhood. Too Close to churches? Inside the city limits, where do you think this activity is going on. Right in many of the church parking lots. When the churches here are putting up signs in their parking lots relating to this type of activity. It's around the churches already. Too close to Schools? Are you kidding me? It's already happening already in and around the schools here. Your property values will go down? Show us your statistics that say that.
Berkeley County Council you need to complete a feasibility study. Lack of this was the biggest objection from the City council members who voted against it.
Mayor of Martinsburg, City Council members, County Council Members- Wake up and look around you. In case you haven't realized this, the entire county of Berkeley (WV) and the City of Martinsburg (WV) is being consumed because of this heroin epidemic. We have lost way too many already to this epidemic already and will continue to lose many more because we need this treatment facility right here in Martinsburg.
Many of the heroin-addicted have children. Many, many children in this community have already lost their parents to this heroin epidemic already. Those children of the addicted are the future of our community.
Everyone is affected by this epidemic in some manner. If someone is having a heart attack and goes to the hospital- they will get treatment first and then a bed. When someone overdoses on heroin they are lucky if the treatment gets to them in time. If so, they are taken to the hospital, they are treated and released. Why? Because there are no beds available in the places they need to go for help. Why is that you may wonder? Because heroin has taken over most of the communities in West Virginia. There are no beds available.
We need this facility here in Martinsburg/Berkeley County so that our own local people will get the help and treatment needed for their addiction.
We are tired of hearing the excuses. We need to see the reality of this treatment center at 750 Baltimore St Martinsburg. Yesterday was too late. We need it today!
To our leaders here in Martinsburg, WV and Berkeley County WV: I just read a quote: "When something major happens in this country it isn't about those who suffer the greatest loss. It is about who profits most and who stands to lose the most money should the problem go away"
If that isn't it- then to prove us who are in favor of this treatment facility wrong. We in favor of this treatment facility at 750 Baltimore St are growing by many numbers. We refuse to be silenced any longer and we will not go away quietly."
Berkeley County Council you need to complete a feasibility study. Lack of this was the biggest objection from the City council members who voted against it.
Mayor of Martinsburg, City Council members, County Council Members- Wake up and look around you. In case you haven't realized this, the entire county of Berkeley (WV) and the City of Martinsburg (WV) is being consumed because of this heroin epidemic. We have lost way too many already to this epidemic already and will continue to lose many more because we need this treatment facility right here in Martinsburg.
Many of the heroin-addicted have children. Many, many children in this community have already lost their parents to this heroin epidemic already. Those children of the addicted are the future of our community.
Everyone is affected by this epidemic in some manner. If someone is having a heart attack and goes to the hospital- they will get treatment first and then a bed. When someone overdoses on heroin they are lucky if the treatment gets to them in time. If so, they are taken to the hospital, they are treated and released. Why? Because there are no beds available in the places they need to go for help. Why is that you may wonder? Because heroin has taken over most of the communities in West Virginia. There are no beds available.
We need this facility here in Martinsburg/Berkeley County so that our own local people will get the help and treatment needed for their addiction.
We are tired of hearing the excuses. We need to see the reality of this treatment center at 750 Baltimore St Martinsburg. Yesterday was too late. We need it today!
To our leaders here in Martinsburg, WV and Berkeley County WV: I just read a quote: "When something major happens in this country it isn't about those who suffer the greatest loss. It is about who profits most and who stands to lose the most money should the problem go away"
If that isn't it- then to prove us who are in favor of this treatment facility wrong. We in favor of this treatment facility at 750 Baltimore St are growing by many numbers. We refuse to be silenced any longer and we will not go away quietly."
© 2016 Gossip Girl
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)