INNOVATION

We, as leaders, can sit here and crack down on drug use all day long. That's what I call a short term solution to a long term problem. To address the issues head on, as Mayor, I plan to Target the source of where the users are getting their drugs. That way, it will make it harder for users to obtain their drugs. By taking out the source, we now create a solution for a long term problem and hence, can begin to create long term solutions for a now short term problem. By doing so, the actual "source" of the drugs will be sentenced to jail, getting them off the streets, and the "users" will be given mercy and sentenced to rehab. Thus, having these possible drug charges not be on their record on behalf of them going to rehab. Now, these people can choose to decline that and then they will be charged, or they can choose to accept the opportunity and second chance to get their life clean by going to rehab which will be in Port Huron. And not the Huron house either. The rehab they will be sentenced to will not be known to them as rehab, rather a place of hope, change, and direction. As mayor, I will set up a center for the rehab and within that center, by working with local leaders and law enforcement, will be a safety injection site to where people can go to to safely inject their Durgs. Getting the dirty sirenges off the streets, helping to prevent the spread of Hep C and HIV and helping to facilitate their use. In the same aspect, this safety injection site will also be the place where people will slowly get taken off the drugs to help reduce the risk and chances of withdrawal. Which in turn, will help them become clean and begin to live a life of success rather than of abuse.
In addition, as mayor, I plan to make available to law enforcement, paramedics, and firefighters the nasal spray Naloxone. That way they can help save someones life who is having an overdose. In addition, I plan to set up a center where local citizens can become educated and trained in how to use Naloxone that way they can save their family member or even fellow neighbor. Finally, the best way, is to educate the community on these opioids In which are affecting our town, streets, and community. By educating, it can make them more aware of the signs which in turn will help get the users off the street and into rehab where they can have the chance to get their lives clean. I plan to develop a force within our police department that will help get these drug users off the streets and instead of into a jail cell, into rehab. This force will not be a force that will arrest and charge the people rather it will be a force that is aimed to help these people. That's one way I also plan to help improve community/police relations. Our police are dedicated to serve and protect and that's what they will do. I hope these ways will speak volume to you as I promise to help pave the way for a BETTER Port Huron