Nov. 9, 2019
Sequim, WA
The large ad placed by the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe about their MAT [medically assisted treatment] clinic project contains many promises to the community. But, can these promises be kept, either realistically or even legally?
The “non profit” promise. Thirteen hundred of us, at the Guy Cole Center, heard Ron Allen declare the project as a “for profit” venture. I’m sorry, we can’t unhear that.
The “non residential location” promise. What about the homes, part of an adjacent neighborhood, sharing the property line with the clinic?
The “traffic” promise. Two hundred fifty people, and later four hundred, plus employees will come and go daily. Some patients will be driving themselves; however, a news report quoted an Anacortes MAT employee, stating most patients driving there don’t have a license. Others will take tribal and public transportation to and from the clinic. That’s traffic we don’t currently have.
The “treating only locals” promise. Jamestown has no control over who comes knocking, and by law, cannot refuse anyone. Also, existing Peninsula MAT clinics are underused, so where will Jamestown get their hundreds of patients?
The “Patients Will Always Be On Campus” promise. A patient has the legal freedom to leave the campus on foot at any time. Jamestown can’t prevent free movement.
And the “safety/security” promise. Seattle thought they were safe, too. There’s nothing safe about the drug addicted homeless encampments in Seattle and their effects upon that city.
In spite of Jamestown promises, I believe this will be a disaster for Sequim.
Robert Fowle,
Sequim WA
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