Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for July 13, 2022

Regardless of income, fentanyl creates a crisis

The impact of fentanyl in our communities is devastating. As a recent IJ article (“Marin family’s loss spurs campaign against ‘fentapills’,” July 3) notes, families of every background are being impacted by death, addiction and heartache.

Given the extent and depth of the harm, I am shocked by the quotes attributed to Brennan Miller, a Los Gatos resident whose teen died after taking a fake prescription pill laced with fentanyl. My heart goes out to the Miller family. However, I disagree with Miller’s assertion that now is the time to get involved because fentanyl is destroying presumably White, wealthy families “in Los Gatos, in Marin County,” noting it is not just some “Tenderloin drug,” referencing the San Francisco neighborhood with a historical reputation for drug use and crime.

Miller is also quoted as saying that fentanyl is ravaging “well-raised, loving families, with children that have good education and are smart and are going off to college, or are in college.”

Drug addiction deserves our attention because it has been eating away at our communities for decades and we have failed to treat it. In a recent New York Times commentary, Jeneen Interlandi wrote that drug addiction is a legitimate medical condition often triggered or worsened by mental illness or social forces like poverty or childhood trauma.

What hurts one of us, hurts us all — regardless of our address, income or education.

Our rallying cry — here in Marin County and elsewhere — must be for community-based programs that educate us about drugs and addiction and for affordable and accessible drug treatment and mental health programs.

Drugs and drug addiction are not class issues, they are a failure to meet a pervasive public health crisis. More information is available through the county’s Alcohol and Other Drug Advisory Board at MarinHHS.org.

— Barbara J. French, Mill Valley

State Assembly race: Damon Connolly update

I just wanted to extend a brief thank you to the people of Marin and Sonoma counties for participating in our democracy in the June primary. At 49.5% and 45.2% turnout respectively, the North Bay far outpaced California’s turnout of 33.1%, a reflection of the deep-rooted civic-minded nature of our community.

In my campaign for state Assembly, I was honored to finish first, and I look forward to many conversations ahead with voters throughout our region on the countless ways the policies made in the state Capitol impact our lives. I’ll be on the ballot again in November.

We know our state and our nation are at a crossroads. A reactionary Supreme Court is rolling back the clock on reproductive rights, environmental protection and so much more. On a daily basis, we’re forced to bear witness to the scourge of deadly gun violence. Rising costs are interfering with everyone’s ability to make ends meet and prepare for the future. Millions remain without health care. The existential threat of climate change continues to create a more dangerous world, as seen by the yearly wildfires that can destroy entire neighborhoods with little warning.

These are perilous times, and we need an experienced legislator representing the North Bay to protect Californians’ rights and show the rest of the country how to fix our toughest problems.

No matter who you voted for in the primary, thank you for caring and being part of the fabric of our community. It means a lot to call this area my home, to raise my family here and to call you my neighbors.

— Damon Connolly, San Rafael

State Assembly race: Sara Aminzadeh update

To my fellow voters and the families of Assembly District 12, on June 7 you sent a clear message to the political establishment. Sixty-two percent voted against a candidate who represents the status quo, instead supporting the bold leadership of my coalition, Steve Schwartz or Ida Times-Green. Thank you.

As a working mom, I’m honored to emerge from the primary in a statistical tie for first place, a result that few in the old guard predicted. In meeting people in their homes, I heard the same resounding messages: We must raise the bar for leadership, we need to elect more women and we need transformative change.

Now is not the time for “more of the same.” I refuse to accept a reality where housing and water shortages worsen; where homelessness and mental health epidemics persist in our community; and where climate change intensifies — a reality that requires me to put an N-95 mask on my son because wildfires render our air unbreathable.

As our country faces a climate crisis, a gun violence crisis and a Supreme Court that aims to take women and the LGBTQ+ community back 50 years, we need leaders who will fight like hell for our rights and do everything in our power to protect our children. And we must do it together, ensuring that the voices of those who rarely have political power are heard.

We need leaders who will fight like a mother. And, as your next representative in the state Assembly, I will do exactly that — every waking hour of every day, until we get the results and change we need.

Our campaign is powered by a broad coalition of local leaders that are majority women and people of color. It includes Marin County Board of Supervisors President Katie Rice, Supervisor Dennis Rodoni (who endorses both me and my opponent) and Supervisor-elect Eric Lucan.

— Sara Aminzadeh, Kentfield

Pac-12 loss a bad sign for future of college sports

The recent decision by UCLA and USC to pull their athletic programs from the Pac-12 for the Big 10 sent shockwaves throughout the college sports world, but it follows a concerning trend of major conferences poaching other schools for their membership.

Many Bay Area residents have connections to any one of the Pac-12 schools, whether through attendance or proximity. This decision strips the conference and their fans of part, if not all, of its identity.

Why was this decision taken? It’s not any competition differential. The real reason is money. The TV contracts available to other major conference schools by ESPN and various platforms are far more sizable than anything the Pac-12 has. ESPN’s goal appears to be to create mega conferences with the best programs, to have those teams play each other continually on their channels and reap the financial rewards.

The traditions of college athletics can take a hike. That kind of thinking may be acceptable from USC, a private institution, but California public schools like UCLA should be focused on what’s best for California students and the taxpayers who support them, not corporate profits.

It’s a tale as old as the hills: Institutions gain public respect and trust over the years only to leave the community in the dust for a soulless pursuit of profit. By taking this step, UCLA, USC and schools in the future will be turning their backs on decades of history. The days of lasting rivalries are over. The days of conference loyalty are over. And, very quickly, the days of meaningful college athletics are ending.

Until it once again becomes about the players, the rivalries and the magic of athletic competition, college sports will never be what it once was.

— Luke McFadden, Mill Valley

Newsom should know nothing free in California

I believe Gov. Gavin Newsom is very insecure in his role as California’s leader. He just placed a commercial on Florida television suggesting that Floridians move here to be free. I would ask free of what?

Here in California, it seems we are free to have high state income taxes, gas taxes, prices of gas, property taxes and crime rates. We have laws that allow criminals to be released because district attorneys won’t prosecute. We are free to have moratoriums on death row inmates, to have low-rated schools and to have a low rating among states for quality of life. We also have a high business tax, which drives businesses out and, apparently, we are free to live with the threat of no water.

I think the governor wants to see if he has the votes to become president of the United States. I don’t think much of our Golden State golden boy. I guess I’m free to stay and be plagued by this governor.

— Rich Cairns, San Rafael