On February 1, 2021, Wenatchee Rotary will officially complete our first 100 years of service to the Wenatchee Valley and the world. Our tribute on January 14, was the first of several planned celebrations.
The speaker was introduced by PP Bill Murray, with lots of fun facts.
Keith Madsen works with Intermountain AmeriCorps, helping to bring education on the opioid epidemic to our schools. It is a part of a national service movement striving to rebuild communities while broadening educational and life skills opportunities for citizens. AmeriCorps offers opportunities for Americans to make a substantial commitment to serve their country, mobilizing at the local level to build a national movement for positive change.
Basic info on Opioids
What are “opioids”? – Three kinds: natural, created from natural opioids and synthetic.
Natural: come from the opium poppy – opium, morphine, codeine
What do opioids do? Used for the relief of pain. Also commonly used after other kinds of surgeries, for pain from cancer, and severe back pain.
These meds are generally safe when taken as prescribed by a medical doctor for a short time (3-5 days) when taken by the person for whom it is prescribed. All three of those qualifiers are important!
Purdue Pharma claimed that OxyContin was not addictive and could be safely taken for all kinds of pain, both temporary and chronic. Both doctors and the general public believed them. Prescriptions for opioids tripled from 1992 to 2012. But what the drug companies had told people was wrong! The result has been what many in the health field have called “the worst drug epidemic in American history.
More people now die from overdose each year than die in automobile accidents or gun violence. In fact, more Americans die each year from overdose than died in the entirety of the Vietnam War. In recent years -over 70,000 deaths a year, and Covid has made it worse!
DANGERS
Opioids affect the brain’s ability to function in a normal way- atrophy of natural system of producing dopamine.
Opioids “Hijack” the brain, like a person might have their computer or Facebook page hacked This turns them into a different person who is only interested in getting the drug.
Breathing: opioids block signal that the brain needs oxygen. Overdose results in coma-like state where the body needs oxygen, but the brain does not know it. (Can be revived for 30minutes through Narcan nasal spray)
Among Seniors
On the rise among older Americans:
Older adults also more frequently face chronic pain issues.
Older adults often have experienced stress-inducing losses (retirement, spouse deaths, etc.)
Stigma may inhibit from getting treatment.
Healthy choices
Let’s take some time now to talk about positive actions you and your family can take:
Monitor pain medication, and only take when necessary. There are times when an opioid might be necessary for strong pain, if your physician prescribes them. But in those situations, you have the right to ask questions about your own treatment. Are there alternative ways of relieving pain? Many medical authorities are now saying that this combination is sufficient for most severe pain cases.—400 mg of Ibuprofen and 1000 mg of Acetaminophen 3X a day (side effect – possible GI bleeding, but relatively rare) Now Advil “Dual Action” has the 2 medications in one tablet. Other medical options: for Migraines, use triptans; for neuropathic pain, use Gabapentin; for joint pain, use capsaicin (topical) Also massage, acupuncture.
If I no longer need the medication, what should I do with it? Never keep on taking an opioid just because you have more to take. (In that respect it’s different than an antibiotic.) Also, don’t just “save it for later.” Take it back to your pharmacy and ask them about safe disposal. Never take an opioid prescribed for someone else
If you think you might be getting addicted, get treatment. Three medications are now being used to treat opioid addiction (methadone, Suboxone, Vivotrol), and when combined with counseling, are effective. Many older adults resist going for treatment because of the onus on drug addiction. But there is no reason for this. Opioid addiction is a health issue, not a moral issue. It can happen to good, caring, moral people. The Center; Ideal Options; New Start Clinic. Central Washington Recovery Coalition.
Become aware of emergency treatment options. Naloxone nasal spray can be used to stop or reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is now available in a generic form, and might soon be available over-the-counter. However, this spray only works for about 30 minutes, and should be followed up with emergency medical care.
Find healthier ways to produce endorphins. Release produces the “runner’s high” – other ways to stimulate the production of endorphins – exercise, laughing, giving, yoga and meditation, building strong, satisfying relationships and …dark chocolate! This can be a challenge for older adults (except for the chocolate!). Particularly the case if they have lost their spouse or life partner. Need to think of being in a new era of life.
The meeting was opened and led by president Kory Kalahar, who introduced Russ Speidel, checking in from SEATAC. Russ sponsored and introduced Ms. Kelli Scott, to be inducted. After her introduction, an excellent charge was delivered by Past President (PPP) Pete Van Well. Kelli was formerly a writer for the Wenatchee World and other newspapers, a political lobbyist, and is now serving as Central Washington Manager for Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08). Her husband, Brett, is also a former Capitol Hill staffer and a government affairs consultant. Kelli’s father was a longtime Rotarian in Tacoma. We can hardly wait for her classification talk! Read about Kelli's amazing dog BarkleyHERE. The induction and charge ceremony can be viewed as a cloud video HERE.... Audio only HERE.
President Kory
Russ Speidel
Pete Van Well
Kelli Scott
The induction and charge ceremony can be viewed as a cloud video HERE.... Audio only HERE.
Announcements.
Chelan Cares. Supporting local has never been more important. If you happen to be in Chelan they have gotten very creative with Cares dollars and reimbursing the local restaurant owners for their work time and effort.
Secretary Frank Clifton. Ten things you Don’t Know About a Fellow Rotarian. See below.
Ten (or more) things we didn't know about Frank Thomas Clifton, Jr.
Frank used a PowerPoint with photos. Below is a simplified description, followed by a few of Frank's photos.
Born in Florence, SC, November 5, 1938. Nickname, "Tommy".
Grew up in small town, Mount Olive, NC. Home of Mt. Olive Pickles.
In Mt. Olive, there are neither mounts nor olives.
Dad started a tire business after returning from Army, circa 1945.
Played 3 seasons HS football as running back, with some success.
Graduated high school, 1957. Met future wife during senior year.
Related incidents involving the HS 3rd floor balcony.
Became Eagle Scout with mother's urging.
Committed many mischievous pranks with high school friends.
Married LaQuita during college, January 31, 1960.
Graduated NC State College, 1961 (now NCSU); BS, Mechanical Engineering.
Worked at a variety of engineering positions in 8 different locations around the US.
Retired 1996 after 20 years with Westinghouse-Hanford; back to Mt. Olive, '99.
President & secretary, Mt. Olive Rotary (2004-2015); awarded Area Rotarian of Year.
Secretary, Wenatchee Rotary since early 2016.
Family photo below show kids Tom, Cheri, Sean; Cheri is now with Jesus.
Thankful to God for blessed life!
Next meeting - Frank selected PP Judy Conner. These members have already told their story :
Leonard Singhose
Jil Leonard
Raz
Laurel Turner
Tom Ross
Rich Peters
Gary Provo
Linda Parlette
Dawn Davies
Gene Anderson
Alicia Nakata
Dorry Foster
Claudia DeRobles
Ford Barrett
Tom McNair
Mark McCants
Sean Cooper
Russ Speidel
Andy Petro
Pete Van Well
Frank Clifton
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
JANUARY 28 - NCW WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S
With Erica Grissmerson
Erica is the Manager for the Walk to End Alzheimer's here in Wenatchee but also manages the Yakima, Walla Walla and Tri-Cities Walks. Joining Erica is Geoff Gatewood, Financial Advisor for Edward Jones. Geoff serves on the Wenatchee Volunteer Walk Planning Committee as the Walk Chair.
Walk to End Alzheimer's is held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The Alzheimer's/Dementia Rotarian Action Group is a proud National Team of the Walk to End Alzheimer's!
FEBRUARY 04 - CLASSIFICATION TALK
With Rich Monroe
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
Our current sponsors are those who generously sponsored
SPEAKERS. Are you thinking of sponsoring a speaker? Complete the new online info FORM. Guidelines are posted on our website under the main menu. Or click here.
End Polio Now: Our goal this Rotary year is $7500. As of this December 9, we have donated $5200 (#1 in District 5060*), 70% of our goal; this amounts to $15,600 (with the Gates match! ) This equates to 26,000lives potentially saved to date!
70%
Note: We continue our 10-year relationship with the Gates Foundation. Since 2013, they have matched each dollar with $2 toward polio eradication. * District donations total about $51K.
The speaker was introduced by PP Bill Murray, with lots of fun facts.
