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THE ASTORIAN • THuRSdAy, SEpTEmbER 1, 2022
OPINION
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
Publisher
DERRICK DePLEDGE
Editor
Founded in 1873
JOHN D. BRUIJN
Production Manager
SAMANTHA STINNETT
Circulation Manager
SARAH SILVER
Advertising Sales Manager
GUEST COLUMN
Together we have made a difference
A
Hailey Hoffman/The Astorian
A clinic in Seaside dispenses methadone to help treat addiction.
AS A RESULT OF THE HARD WORK WE HAVE DONE
TOGETHER OVER THE YEARS, OUR REGION NOW
HAS A SYSTEM OF CARE TO TREAT SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDER, AS WELL AS HARM REDUCTION,
AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS
s we marked International
annual regional Substance Use Disor-
der summits to learn and develop inno-
Overdose Awareness Day on
vative ways to address substance use
Wednesday and move into
and prevent overdose in our commu-
the monthlong celebration of Recov-
ery Month this September, I wanted to
nity — because the best ideas for how to
acknowledge the tremendous commu-
approach this issue for our community
nity effort that our region has put forth to
will come from our community.
address this growing crisis in our state.
Importantly, together we have
For many years, the communities
expanded access to medication for opi-
oid use disorder options throughout the
of Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia
region, including access within
counties have come together to
primary care, behavioral health
address substance use disorder
organizations, as well as an opi-
and increase access to tools and
oid treatment program. Now, peo-
resources that can help us prevent
ple seeking treatment don’t have
overdoses in our community.
to travel several hours round trip
These amazing partnerships
to get this lifesaving care. They
have grown to address stigma,
can get it right here on the coast.
develop harm reduction programs
SAFINA
In many cases, members can get
and offer treatment and support
KOREISHI
these services on the same day or
for people struggling with sub-
stance use disorder. It has been
next day if they are seeking sup-
port for the first time.
a privilege to partner with all of you in
Public health agencies, communi-
this over the years.
ty-based organizations, hospitals, health
Today, we want to honor all of you
systems and families who have been
who do this work every day, those who
impacted by substance use have all
have lost loved ones and those living
played a vital role in helping our region
with substance use disorder. Substance
build the infrastructure needed to sup-
use disorder is a chronic condition, and a
port and respond to this issue. And
communitywide concern that impacts us
together, we will continue to do more to
all. Together we have made a difference,
address the growing overdose crisis in
and together we can continue to make a
our state.
difference.
We are confident that together we can
As a result of the hard work we have
continue to raise awareness of this cri-
done together over the years, our region
sis, expand our services, get naloxone to
now has a system of care to treat sub-
stance use disorder, as well as harm
everyone who needs it, and continue to
reduction, and overdose prevention pro-
work toward preventing overdose deaths
grams. We have overdose reversal drugs,
and saving lives.
such as naloxone, being prescribed and
Dr. Safina Koreishi is medical direc-
tor at the Columbia Pacific Coordinated
distributed widely.
Care Organization.
Since 2016, we have held four
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Why?
M
y concern and ultimate question is
about sand and dune removal on
the Seaside beach. When requested to
have dune grass and sand dunes regularly
plowed, there has been no straight answer.
One answer is that it’s not the city, but the
state, and if not the state, then the environ-
mental agency.
Well, as regular as clockwork, the plows
are busy at work for both the volleyball
tournament and Hood to Coast. Where are
the environmental concerns? If it can be
done for hefty commercial revenue, why
can it not be done for easy access to all
beach areas?
The area between Second and 12th ave-
nues has become increasingly difficult for
people to access the beach and walk down
to the ocean. The steps that used to be vis-
ible on the avenues are now completely
covered by sand.
The trench along the Promenade is
unsightly, and not maintained for its pur-
pose of water drainage. Ocean view lodg-
ing can no longer offer ocean beach views
on lower levels.
As a part-time resident in Seaside for
over 70 years, I am well aware of the
changing ocean and beach. As to my open-
ing question, why can the sand be leveled
for commercial events, and not for individ-
ual daily use and pleasure?
ANDREA HAGGARD
Seaside
High praise
I
have high praise for the Astoria Public
Works Department. This year they used a
camera to check the city sewer pipes on our
street. Sure enough, there was a problem
with the sewer that runs under the sidewalk
in front of our house, which they promptly
began fixing.
We hired Elements Environmental Ser-
vices to also check the pipe from our house
to the street. As expected, like a lot of our
older homes, it also needed to be replaced.
So Elements used trenchless technology to
run the pipe under the yard, and the Pub-
lic Works Department worked closely with
them to ensure efficient hookup to the new
section of city sewer pipe, which they did
all in one day.
I can’t say enough about how profes-
sional, thorough and well done the job
was completed. We feel lucky with such
a great city Public Works Department and
a company like Elements Environmental
Services.
KITTY PAINO
Astoria
Why not?
P
ublic libraries are among the last safe
places that truly serve all members of
the community. In addition to books, librar-
ies provide access to computers, the inter-
net and printing for those who do not own
a computer or printer. Many libraries offer
LETTERS WELCOME
Letters should be exclusive to The
Astorian. Letters should be fewer
than 250 words and must include the
writer’s name, address and phone
number. You will be contacted to
confirm authorship. All letters are
subject to editing for space, gram-
mar and factual accuracy. Only two
letters per writer are allowed each
month. Letters written in response
reading events for children, provide classes
for immigrants, activities for the elderly
and operate as county cooling centers when
temperatures are dangerously high.
When I think about libraries as safe pub-
lic spaces, I can’t help but think about the
upcoming camping ordinance, which is
directly related to the nationwide hous-
ing crisis. At a recent Astoria City Coun-
cil meeting, I was touched to hear some of
the very humane concerns voiced by the
to other letter writers should address
the issue at hand and should refer to
the headline and date the letter was
published. Discourse should be civil.
Send via email to editor@dailyasto-
rian.com, online at bit.ly/astorianlet-
ters, in person at 949 Exchange St.
in Astoria or mail to Letters to the
Editor, P.O. Box 210, Astoria, OR.,
97103.
council. I share being disheartened regard-
ing lost opportunities to increase affordable
housing, and recognize the limitations in
space and funding we face.
Should Astoria approve the Astoria
Library bond, why not consider remodel-
ing the basement of the library to be avail-
able for showers, laundry and a warm place
to sleep on the coldest nights? If it truly is
to be a community space serving our city,
why not include the needs of our most vul-
nerable population? Why not do our best
to make use of mixed public space to truly
serve all?
TIFFANY SANFORD
Astoria
Matter of time
F
or two years, I have been trying to
get Clatsop County to repair the pub-
lic beach accesses at Cove Beach/Fal-
con Cove, as required by law, the Oregon
Beach Bill of 1967. It requires the county
to keep the accesses open, repaired or
replaced.
I am not asking for expensive erosion
control, only help keeping those existing
pathways open. The public, fire and res-
cue personnel need a safe way to access
the beach. Luckily there weren’t 16 res-
cues needed at Cove Beach like in Seaside
recently.
Our population and use there have dra-
matically increased. It is just a matter of
time.
REBA OWEN
Warrenton