The following is a press release issued by the Fort Bragg Police Department:
On October 16, 2024, the Fort Bragg Community Fentanyl Task Force, organized by the Fort Bragg Police Department, held its second meeting. The task force includes elected officials, educators, business owners, community leaders, students, those directly affected by fentanyl, and professionals. It was created to generate new ideas for combating the fentanyl crisis in Mendocino County, particularly along the coast.
During the first meeting in February, members learned about the severity of the public health crisis and the police department’s current efforts. Before the second meeting, the Care Response Unit reviewed over 30 public and private agencies in Mendocino County that could help address the opioid crisis. Due to time constraints, nine key agencies were invited to present. Speakers included Chief Izen Locatelli of the Mendocino County Probation Department, representatives from the New Life Clinic in Ukiah, Dr. Lynn Taylor of Mendocino Coast Clinics’ Medication-Assisted Treatment Department, and other organizations playing pivotal roles in addressing the crisis.
After the presentations, task force members identified three main goals:
- Increase education about fentanyl and the opioid crisis, targeting the business community, school-aged children, and underrepresented populations such as Latinx and Indigenous communities.
- Expand access to outpatient treatment by collaborating with existing organizations to secure funding and reduce barriers related to wraparound services.
- Explore the creation of an inpatient youth treatment facility in Mendocino County, as the lack of such facilities in Northern California was cited as a major obstacle.
Members are now divided into three committees, each focused on one of these goals, and will meet monthly to track progress. Each member has been assigned tasks to further their committee’s objectives. The task force plans to provide a public update on its accomplishments by January 2025.
We not only need a facility for the youth but also for the men and women. Before we can help anyone we need to have these facilities in place.
As for the employees , they need to truly have a loving caring heart ?? for these people also for the homeless . I have volunteered and worked with the homeless off and on for years , this year
The homeless have been hit hard with the entangled. I lost some good homeless friends who were going through some hard times in their life and was given pills laced with fentanyle , they died minutes after.
Back to the people working in these facilities they need to truly love and care for these people and their well-being . Never disrespect them , never yell or be rude to them , don’t get smart with them just love them and be there for them.
If we can all come together then we can do this.