Going Hands-On With Nature?

Children interacting with nature.

We all know how it goes when we undertake contact with nature through some sort of formalized program. Frequently enough, there are videos or slides of what might be seen and then comes the walk onto the designated pathway, complete with rules like "Look, don't touch". Hey, I know how beautiful nature is - I can look, but not touch, at the photos on my calendar and the photos on my computer. Yes, they are all beautiful and very inspirational. But isn't there more, like touching nature, too? Was nature only meant to be seen and not sampled with our other senses?

Think back to our past when there weren't PowerPoint presentations and video clips to document what amounts to a visual, and audio experience. When John Muir, the great documenter of nature, was a boy, nature was right outside his home. He could be companion with the frogs and explore what happens in bird nests. He said about the immediacy of nature: "The sudden plash into pure wilderness - baptism in Nature's warm heart - how utterly happy it made us! Nature streaming into us, wooingly teaching her wonderful glowing lessons, so unlike the dismal grammar ashes and cinders so long thrashed into us....Young hearts, young leaves, flowers, animals, the winds and the streams and the sparkling lake, all wildly, gladly rejoicing together!"



Nature in the rough and raw, encountered and discovered on our own, as we walk along and blaze our own trails. presents opportunities for pure joy. But it's not easy having that experience when we're surrounded by concrete and we're lucky if there's a park nearby. We may not be all that comfortable encountering nature on its own terms, but more so when presented to us as a program. But do we really encounter nature in all its glory? Must we keep our hands off?

Here, Harvard entomologist E.O. Wilson describes his early encounters with the nature of his youth, "I hunted reptiles: stunned and captured five-lined skinks with a sling-shot, and learned the correct maneuver for catching Carolina anole lizards (approach, let them scuttle to the other side of the tree trunk and out of sight, peek to see where they are sitting, then take them by grabbing blind with one hand around the trunk). One late afternoon, I brought home a coachwhip snake nearly as long as I was tall and walked into the house with it wrapped around my neck." Yes, in childhood, even those who fought to preserve wildlife had experiences of capturing some of the animals around them for a further look when they got home. Of course, back then, there wasn't as much of a concerted effort to preserve animal species, as there is today, but does that truly mean hands off nature?

Surprise! An encounter with a waterfall.

I am all for programming to tell children what's there out in their neck of the woods, so to speak. With knowledge comes the ability to respect the creatures and fauna in natural places. But sometimes, there is such a thing as exploration, touching things that won't be harmed by that type of encounter. Many was the time, I was with a group of children when we went into the woods, and, yes, the children looked at nature and touched it, too. We adults explained as we went along, meeting the curious encounters with additional knowledge. It allowed for appreciation, preserved nature for the next encounter, and also allowed the joy of discovery.

A wonderful discovery on a nature walk!

Thanks for this article by David Sobel at Daily Good: http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=6411.

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Rainbow Mason Jar Cakes

Finished Rainbow Cake.

Every so often, I go in for some easy DIY items. Most of the time, they use things that are inexpensive or that can be commonly found around the house. Generally, they make life just a little better, for a small amount of effort.

Now, I bet most people know what a mason jar is. Back in the day, my mother used to can strawberries for jam and my father used them for his quick pickle recipe that he got from his mother. You don't even have to be putting up preserves or getting out that huge pot to sterilize and set the preserves put up in them. You know, boiling away until the top pops in.

Anyway, you need a four pint-sized mason jars, four sandwich bags, four different containers of food coloring, and some of this prepared batter. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a deep baking pan with 1/2 inch of tap water. To make the batter, you need 1 1/2 sticks butter, 2 1/2 cups sugar, 2 eggs, 1 1/4 cups milk, 2 1/2 cups flour, 2 tsp vanilla, and 2 1/2 tsp baking powder. Mix the ingredients together and you have the batter.



Next, separate the batter equally into four different bowls. Use one color in each of the four bowls. Add one drop at a time until the color of the batter is bright enough for part of a rainbow. Pour one of the colored batters into the sandwich bag and move it towards one corner. Then, using scissors, clip off the corner. Now, take one bag of colored batter and squeeze it into the bottom of the mason jar, covering the outer part of the circle. Continue with all of the colored batter until each jar has layers of the different colors. Then, place the filled mason jars into your prepared baking pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, but check on them to make sure they don't burn.

Jars are filled with batter and ready to go into their baking pan bath for the oven.

When the mason jar cakes have baked and cooled, place a generous layer of any type of commercial or homemade icing on the top. Add some colored sprinkles and dessert is ready to eat.

Thanks to this article from little things for the how-to: http://rainbow.littlethings.com/mason-jar-rainbow-cakes/?utm_source=LTdiy&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=foodhacks.

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UR4Africa Is On The Move

Campaign to send four youth from Lagos to Parsons Academy.

Back in January, I posted an ARTICLE about UR4AFRICA; its founder Olubusola "Shola"Ajayi, and the work that the group does with the young people of Nigeria. Well, it's time for another visit to the work that the group does.

Recently, UR4Africa received a wonderful opportunity to send four youth and a local Nigerian artist all the way to NYC's PARSON'S PRE-COLLEGE ACADEMY. Because these young students do live in Lagos, they are participating in the two-week intensive course. It's a great opportunity, not only for the five attendees from Nigeria, but also for the other young people from the US, who will be attending. Not only will the group be learning about graphic design techniques, but the extra addition for this summer's session is the cultural exchange that will be a natural part of this year's session.



However, there has been a big glitch in the plans. Shola informed me that, although they had believed the air transportation was already arranged, those leads have fallen through. So, the immediate need is for flights to NYC and back home. The hope is that someone sees how much is to be gained and the tremendous opportunity for these young people and helps get this small group into the air and on the way to NYC.

In addition, if you are interested in making a contribution to this amazing trip and learning experience, time is of the essence. There is a CROWDWISE CAMPAIGN to raise funds so that all the participants can attend without worrying about expenses. Just click on the highlighted hyperlink in this paragraph and you are on the way to participating in this special learning session for some deserving young people.

One of the ways graphic design is used to provide important public messages.

By the way, when arrangements can be completed, if you happen to be in the NYC area near Parson's Academy, say, "Hello," to this group of young people who will be so far from their homes. In all probability, they will be sharing their new knowledge with a larger group of youth and artists, who will be waiting for them back home, and they'll be taking your welcome back home with them, too.

Artwork from UR4Africa, behind the young woman.

Thanks to the above links and also to personal communication from Shola. Illustrations provided by Shola.

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Casa De Paz

Students from the Woolman School visit Canticle Farm.

It's a community within the city of Oakland and it resides at the Canticle Farm. Canticle Farm is located in an area of eastern Oakland where a majority of residents are low-income, marginalized, and disenfranchised. This little community in the bigger city brings a lifestyle of nonviolence and hope among neighbors who have seen the worst of urban despair. It is a lifestyle of sustainability, supporting life, within a post-industrial world.

Imagine a place where the front door is always open, that is, 24/7. It's a welcome mat to the community, also primarily Latino, that surrounds it. CASA DE PAZ models its daily schedule on that of a Santa Clara family, which has been pursuing the same lifestyle for more than 15 years. The lives of the members of Casa De Paz includes vegan meals, daily meditation, no type of intoxicants, and community service.



Part of that community service is accomplished on Friday, which they call "Wednesdays on Fridays". Participants from the community don't have to bring anything and there is no charge. There is an hour of complete silence, followed by a short reading, and then a vegan meal offered in silence. Those who wish can stay for discussion about the pursuit of life sustainability amidst the slowing of industrialization.

Yes, this community has a website. There is room for readers to connect with some sixty other communities throughout the world. You can experience the readings, since they are posted online, and you can interact with this community on Saturdays, interacting with a designated speaker through Awakin Calls. In a sense, technology has extended this community from its physical site to connections around the world. This community also provides enough information that you can host your own Awakin Circle, based on their "Wednesday on Fridays" gatherings. Always within this community are messages of life affirmation, positive engagement, and wisdom.

Peace Pole at Casa De Paz.

Life at Casa De Paz also consists of giving back. There is gardening work at the farm community; volunteering at Karma Kitchen, a meal it forward kitchen; and engaging in nonviolent protest. Of course, Casa De Paz has everyday living expenses, and the members of the community receive monetary contributions to keep their community in existence. It's not a lifestyle for everyone, but for those who partake of it, it is life-sustaining.

Casa De Paz

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/casa-de-paz/; and this article from Daily Good: http://www.dailygood.org/view.php?sid=127.

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A First For Special Olympics Athlete

Jake Kuehl

One fine day this month 53-year-old Peter Matter, who competes as an athlete in Special Olympics, had stopped by the window at a shoe store and was looking at a pair of athletic shoes. The man was dressed casually, but his own shoes were tattered and torn.

Jake Kuehl was out shopping at the same mall in Eau Claire, WI, with his family, when he happened upon Mr. Matter. Jake wrote, "I caught up with the gentleman and asked him if he liked the shoes he was just looking at. He told me he really liked them, he looks at them every time he's at the mall. I said to him, 'What do you say we go in the store and get them?'"



But Mr. Matter was a bit reluctant; you see, he didn't have enough money to pay for them. But Mr. Kuehl told him not to worry about the money; they were going to get the shoes. That hesitance turned into a smile and his eyes lit up.

Both men had picked the perfect store; it was huge and it was filled with shoes of all types. Mr. Kuehl spotted a salesperson and asked if that person could help Mr. Matter pick out some shoes. In that process, Mr. Kuehl found out that Mr. Matter really loved bright colors. Also, because he wasn't sure about when Mr. Matter would be able to replace those shoes, he made sure that the shoes were well-constructed and would last a long time.

Once he had picked out the right pair, Mr. Matter showed his new friend how to tie the shoes so they always stay tied and you don't ever have to re-tie them. He also talked about his Special Olympics activities and how he plays softball. Obviously, new shoes would be quite valuable the next time he played.

At the end, when the shoes were paid for, by Mr. Kuehl, Mr. Matter remembered to thank him for his kindness. He also said about this special day, "Nobody did this for me, buy me shoes like that." And, you know, Mr. Matter wasn't the only one who was feeling good about his day. Mr. Kuehl was also feeling the joy that comes from helping another human being. May we all remember that each act of kindness results in two beneficiaries - the one who gives and the one who receives.

Mr. Matter is stylin' while wearing his new shoes.

Thanks to this article from Kindness Blog: http://kindnessblog.com/2015/07/24/kind-stranger-buys-shoes-for-a-special-olympics-athlete/; and this article from Opposing Views: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/social/man-helps-special-olympics-athlete-buy-shoes-video.

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Animals In History

Jumbo, the largest known elephant.

This is a bit of an unusual project, in the sense that it has never been done before. It took a young documentary film director, Stevan Zivkov Andricin, with a huge interest in the topic, to make a longer film and some shorter videos, which are now on Vimeo.

Mr. Andricin was lucky in one sense. Although he was born in Yugoslavia, he and his family managed to leave the country and move to Hungary before the Serbian conflict began. After Slobodan Milosovic, the Serbian leader, fell, Stevan went back to Serbia and established a motion graphics and web design studio, Cityfocus.



Mr. Andricin utilizes the equipment in this studio to make documentary films. Eventually, the idea of making this documentary about animals' roles in history came to him as a result of filming other documentaries. As Stevan said, "During work on previous documentary movies, I realized the fascinating role of animals in the history of humankind. Man and animal were participants in the history of humankind, but history has forgotten about animals."

Stevan bases his interest in animals on his philosophy of animals as beings, "Every animal is equal to the human animal. Animals are only different species. Every animal is a person with very deep and gentle emotions."  He was also aware that very little had been done to document the role of animals in human history and he wanted to be able to teach others about that history, using his documentary as one of the tools. He said, "Animals don't have the power of speech and their lives and fates aren't taught in schools. In our film, Animals: A Parallel History, we make a modest attempt to show people the history humans and animals share."

In the film, Mr. Andricin also explores how animals have been exploited for food, experiments, and treated with brutality. He believes in teaching children about this history, because children have a right to know and they also realize when the adults in their lives aren't being honest with them. The film was completed in 2013. The ongoing step is to utilize the film and the shorter videos in educational venues and spread the information around the world.

John Moisant, a US aviator,  flew with his beloved cat on at least 14 flights.

In the end, Stevan hopes that people around the world will develop a deeper appreciation of the animals that share this planet with us and help strengthen the bond between people and animals. As he says about his own hopes, "This knowledge will encourage empathy and responsibility for the creatures around them and the world we all share. This revolutionary film is a key to better stewardship of the earth's environment and living beings."

Fictional animals populate fables.

Thanks to this article from The Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/article/film-director-stevan-zivkov-andricin-produces-cutting-edge-animal-history-film; and this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/stevan-zivkov-andricin-animals-parallel-history/.

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Rescue From A Hot Car

Sarah Oropeza, a rescuer who wouldn't give up.

There have been a number of individuals, who either aren't thinking about, or don't realize, the dangers of leaving a vulnerable being in a hot car. The thermometer may read 90 degrees, the heat index may indicate 106 degrees, but the car swiftly becomes an oven. Within just a few minutes, less than 10 minutes, the temperature rises to 120 degrees. A fully capable adult can escape that sweatbox before a heatstroke occurs, but a young child, a pet, or a disabled family member cannot. And being trapped in a hot car can easily become a death sentence.

This happened in Merriam, Kansas. A toddler was left in a car, with the all of the windows up, and no way to leave. Sixteen-year-old Porscha Bland noticed the distressed toddler locked in the car. She went and told store manager at Famous Footwear, Sarah Oropeza, who was ringing up a customer's purchase.

Ms. Oropeza was alarmed, "The windows were totally rolled up, all the doors were locked. She was covered in sweat. When I looked in the back window, she was covered in sweat. She had pulled her hair back and sweat was just dripping." Ms. Bland found something in her trunk and tried to break the window, but was unsuccessful. Two men tried to break it with a chair, but were also unsuccessful. Sarah Bland, meanwhile, called 911.



The two women were waving their arms and yelling in the parking lot, attracting the attention of a passer-by, who provided them with a screwdriver, which was unable to break the window. Then Ms. Oropeza grabbed a tire iron and continue to whack at the window. Eventually, the window cracked. Ms. Oropeza said, "I was just praying, 'Break the window. She is going to die.'" Then another woman came up with a trailer hitch and threw it at the window. And that broke the window and freed the baby. Ms. Oropeza said, "She was crying, and she was drenched in sweat, like her shoes were wet, her socks were wet. She was so drenched in sweat, I just started crying." You see, Ms. Oropeza has two children of her own and knows how precious their lives are.

The little tot was handed to a nurse, who cared for her until paramedics arrived. When they checked her vitals, she was deemed to be in good health and was released into her grandmother's care. The parents and grandmother were extremely grateful for the quick response to save the little girl's life.

So, who was caring for the child? A couple subsequently entered Ms. Oropeza's shoe store, demanding the child back. Said Ms. Oropeza, "No emotion at all, whatsoever. The only question they had for police was if insurance was going to pay to cover the window that we broke."

Those responsible for leaving the child have been ticketed for child endangerment, and may face further charges. As Johnson County District Attorney, Steve Howe, stated, "We take these matters very seriously. We know how hot it was in Kansas City this weekend. There really is no kind of excuse for that kind of conduct." As for Sarah Oropeza, Porscha Bland, and the other women and men who realized the danger in this situation, they all did the right thing. Saving a life is the most important thing - and that is what they did.

The temperature extremes apply for both people and pets.

When you have a child, a disabled senior, or a pet in your care, you are responsible for what happens to that individual. What you believe to be a quick errand can become longer, and when you turn around, if you are lucky, 911 is activated and that being for whom you are responsible is rescued. But, if not, the person or pet could be dead or in critical condition. There is no excuse; clear your mind of all distracting thoughts and focus on your responsibility. If you are incapable of doing so, leave that dependent individual at home in the ac, and in the care of someone more responsible than you, at that time. Caution, knowledge, and responsibility are necessary to prevent endangering lives!

Sarah Oropeza, with others, trying to break the window with whatever is at hand.

Thanks to this article from KCTV5 News: http://www.kctv5.com/story/29582395/woman-saves-child-locked-in-hot-car; and this article from HLN: http://www.hlntv.com/video/2015/07/21/tire-iron-used-rescue-girl-trapped-car.

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Remembering Rebecca

Rebecca Townsend embraces the joy of life.

Rebecca Townsend was 17 years old and a high school graduate, who was starting college at Notre Dame in the fall. At least, the latter was the plan. Also, in her plans was a bucket list that she had written as an assignment in her sophomore year in high school. She had told her future self that she had three wishes: to travel to Spain, to kiss in the rain, and to save someone's life.

Little did she know what fate had in store for her. She was a teen with a big heart. She had founded a chapter of a girls' charity, She's The First, which raises money to send girls from low-income countries to college, at her school, Immaculate High School. She was full of joy and life. By the way, she had fulfilled two of her wishes before graduation. She had traveled to Spain with her family and she had kissed her boyfriend in the rain. There was one wish left.



On the evening of July 2, Rebecca went with some friends to watch the fireworks. The display ended at 9 PM, so she was crossing the street with her friend Ben Arne, also 17, when they were hit by a car. Rebecca died at the scene, but Ben survived with serious injuries. After he was released by the hospital, he met with Rebecca's family and told them that she had saved his life by pushing him away from the car. Sister, Victoria Townsend, said, "He said, 'The last thing I remember is Rebecca pushing me and telling me to hurry up.'"

At that point, the family hadn't yet found the bucket list. It was when her cousins had gathered together and were remembering Rebecca's life that they found the bucket list. They then realized that Rebecca had fulfilled the last wish on her bucket list just before she died. Victoria said, "It was a little sign that she was OK."

With that discovery and their knowledge of how Rebecca had lived her life, it was her family's wish to do something to honor her. Victoria said, "She was just full of love and full of kindness and compassion and charity." The family set up a FACEBOOK PAGE in her honor with the purpose of "remember[ing] Rebecca by going out and doing something that matters," said one of Rebecca's cousins, Rachel Hofstetter.

Paying it forward at McDonald's for Rebecca.

And so many have responded, from paying for someone else's yoga session to paying it forward at a local Starbucks to setting up a blood drive in her honor, so many have participated. The responses have become a living memorial to Rebecca Townsend and her zest and compassion for others. As Robin Hofstetter says, "The best thing we can take out of the story, and really the most important part of it, is Rebecca was full of love, and we have so many opportunities to show this love."

A blood donor for Rebecca.

Thanks to this article from Buzzfeed: http://www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/rebecca-bucket-list#.ptGE9vAVL; and this article from the NewsTimes: http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Girl-killed-when-struck-by-car-in-Danbury-6364851.php.

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Medical Outreach In The Dominican Republic

Karen Conquergood (with back turned) performing an exam at the eye clinic.

Some of the poorest people in the world live in parts of the Dominican Republic. There are areas where Haitian natives entered the country to provide manual labor for the sugar plantations. But when those plantations were abandoned, these workers were left stranded. They weren't eligible to receive DR's safety net services, and without jobs, many struggle just to survive.

When your struggle is for life's basic needs, you can't even afford the luxury of proper health care services. That's where DOMINICAN EYES PLUS enters the picture. Karen Conquergood, who comes from Canada, operates the organization. She has served the Dominican poor for more than 25 years, providing vital health care services.



Dominican Eyes Plus provides goods and services to the poorest of the poor such as:

*  Free eye examinations and free eye glasses

*  Food packages, gifts, and medical supplies to those with no means of travel

*  ...transportation to Hospitals and connect them with Surgeons

*  ...inexpensive locally made artificial limbs [from the Foundation's goals].

In addition, this organization supports health care providers with an ear to listen and broad shoulders to help share the sorrow and joy, helps those who are lost and hopeless, provides cultural immersion for missions to this community, and, most of all, works from people to people.

Ms. Conquegood supplying a local blind man with food.

Everything that Dominican Eyes does proceeds from basic survival needs. That's why the services go beyond just working with eye issues.  The group survives on donations; they accept monetary donations and those of needed supplies. Several professional groups donate such equipment as eyeglasses, and also send health care professionals, who donate their services in providing care to those in need. This is one organization that uses every donation, no matter what size, to serve these, the poorest of the poor.

Ms/ Conquergood distributing gifts to orphans.

Thanks to this Pollination Project article: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/karen-conquergood-medical-outreach-clinics-dominican-republic/; and the above link.

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They Sing Wonderful Songs Together

Wende Harston with her parrot Sami.

People in Denver might recognize her from her appearances with her band group. She's Wende Harston and she is the lead singer for Queen City Jazz Band. But, for several months during the times when she wasn't performing, she was without a permanent home.

Like many who find themselves without permanent shelter, Ms. Harston had a run of hard luck. As she said, "Things just got bad quicker than I expected." When she found herself without the financial resources to maintain her housing arrangements, she appealed to her brother. Luckily, her brother had an RV which couldn't move, but which could adequately provide some living space. But her parrot, Samela, needed more space than the RV provided, so she found a refuge for him at THE GABRIEL FOUNDATION, the largest shelter/rescue for birds in the US.


Since Sami is so important in her life, she was visiting him rather regularly. And when she did, Sami got the chance to exercise his vocal range with his favorite human. Both human and bird were singing together, providing entertainment for both staff and volunteers, with some of the other birds joining in as a chorus. Ms. Harston found her visits with one of her best friends to be uplifting, giving her hope and helping to keep herself together.

But all visits do come to an end. It's wasn't exactly the same as having Sami at home. Ms. Harston knew the tug at her heart when she had to leave and Sami was calling out for when she departed. But not all is gloom with this little family.

Just recently, Ms. Harston found a more permanent home setting in a mobile home. It's big enough for her and Sami. So, this twosome bade farewell to the shelter to start their lives together in the new digs. But the support of the Gabriel Foundation has not ended. They started a GOFUNDME campaign to help the twosome get the right start to keeping their new home. After all, they both shared their hearts and their stories, and Ms. Hartson's quiet ways, with her enchanted singing, gave back a spirit to the birds without homes that they wouldn't have had if this wonderful twosome had never entered their lives. Never let it be said that someone without a permanent home can't give back. They still have that most important piece: themselves and their light that shines within.

Wende Harston performing with the Queen City Jazz Band.

Thanks to this article from Good News Network: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/homeless-jazz-singer-and-her-parrot-are-inseparable-songbirds/; and this article from 9News: http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/storytellers/2015/07/13/wende-harston-pet-parrot-queen-city-jazz-band/30066977/; along with the above links.

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Recommendations From Baltimore's Heroin Task Force

Members of the Task Force underneath the new banner, Dr. Wen at the podium.

Like many large US cities, Baltimore sees far too many of its residents die from heroin overdose. But it is also a city that tries to lead the curve and address the problem. Just a few days ago, under a banner touting "Dontdie.org, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake released the recommendations of the MAYOR'S HEROIN TREATMENT & PREVENTION TASK FORCE REPORT. Other speakers at the press conference, besides the mayor, included Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, Rep. Elijah Cummings and representatives from various treatment and recovery resources.

David Z., who spoke about his experiences in heroin recovery for more than ten years, was probably the most compelling speaker. His thanks went primarily to the kindness of a stranger and the City's NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM. Currently, David has been clean for fifteen years.


These are the recommendations of the Task Force:

1. Develop dashboard for ongoing monitoring to obtain real-time data for number of people with substance use disorders, near-fatal and fatal overdoses, and capacity for treatment.

2. Implement citywide heroin overdose plan to save lives of our citizens. This plan includes developing targeted treatment and preventive interventions for those at highest risk for overdose and ensuring widespread dissemination of the opioid antidote naloxone.

3. Develop a centralized, easy-to-access intake that is 24/7, with immediate access to an addiction counselor or social worker, and publicize to all (including emergency departments, emergency personnel, peer networks, and community members).

4. Increase data-driven, high impact options for treatment. This includes universal case management and access to treatment for most vulnerable individuals in the city such as inmates and the recently incarcerated, as well as increasin availability of evidence-based treatment, such as buprenorphine.

5. Ensure treatment on demand. This includes work towards a 24/7 "no wrong door" treatment center for addiction and full capacity for treatment in both intensive inpatient and low-intensity outpatient settings.

6. Develop voluntary certification and review for substance use providers based on core standards of care. This includes a pilot to test and refine best practice standards with key volunteer providers in Baltimore City.

7. Facilitate an ongoing partnership and collaboration among key stakeholders to pilot programs, test economic incentives, and discuss integration with state/federal systems of care.

8. Develop standardized good neighbor agreement and establish best practices for substance use disorder providers and community members (including such issues as loitering, cleanliness, security, community advisory committee, and voluntary agreements).

9. Coordinate efforts with treatment providers and law enforcement. This includes preventing targeted drug sales to vulnerable individuals undergoing addiction treatment; working collaboratively to obtain help for people with behavioral disorders; and increasing support for Drug Treatment Courts and other diversion programs.

10. Implement comprehensive strategy to educate and inform residents, businesses, and other key stakeholders about substance addiction to help reduce fear and combat stigma. This includes launching a campaign to educate citizens that addiction is a chronic disease and to encourage individuals to seek treatment.

When Rep. Cummings reached the podium, he brought up the most recent issue that has come up for municipalities and governmental agencies. The price of naloxone suddenly rose from $97 to $370 per unit. This cost increase would reduce access to this vital drug, which is needed to save lives from the dangerous effects of an overdose, He has promised an investigation into this occurrence, along with a pathway to reduce the costs, again, through his congressional work.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake at the podium.

Certainly, the provisions of this recommendation reflect state-of-the-art in treatment and is multi-faceted. It comes at a time that deaths from heroin overdoses have risen drastically, and promises to be life-saving to those who have become vulnerable to heroin addiction.

Rep. Elijah Cummings speaking about increased costs of naloxone.

Thanks to this blog post from B'healthy B'altimore, authored by Sarah Ceponis, Kelleigh Eastman, and Wes Williams: https://bhealthyinbmore.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/dont-die-baltimores-heroin-task-force-unveils-recommendations/.

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