The last full day of summer found Rotarians at the Kitchi Gammi Club for another well-attended meeting. President Tricia Bunten rang the Rotary Bell calling us to order. We rose and proudly sang The Star Spangled Banner with accompaniment by Past President John Baumgarten. Tom Wheeler delivered a thoughtful invocation calling to mind the topic of our program – Opioid Addiction. We are called to remember that as Rotarians, we need to live in the present, plan for the future, and learn from the past. We are thankful that Rotary is a positive outlet for our passions and energy.
Fellowship reporter Darlene Anderson welcomed visiting Rotarian and former member Rachel Martin. Club #25 played host to Katrina from the YES Program of the City of Duluth who addressed us later, and Taylor Jacobson from Woodland Hills. Mike Orman brought Rodrigo Garcia, a former CSS Rotaractor, and his wife Anna Clemente Garcia – welcome back Rodrigo! Past President Holly Sampson hosted fellow community foundation staffers Mark Danielson and Michelle Morris. Robin Pestalozzi had two guests, Ron Alston, Essentia VP, and Peter Samuelson of LSS. Jena Evans brought potential member Jordanne Even from the CSS admissions department. Darlene saw to it that the Golden Can was filled with fines. Last week’s DNT had a special section for its “20 Under 40 Awards” recognizing Duluthians making an impact in our community. Rotarians who were present and “kicked the can” were Bill Gronseth, Past President Branden Robinson, and Matt Rosendahl. With the DSACF “Touchstone Awards” just around the corner, Holly Sampson was called to the Golden Can as was her guest and former Rotarian Mark Danielson for the “privilege” of making a “work-zone” contribution. Assistant District Governor Al Makynen and Past President Jon Welles (a Kitchi board member) were fined for being “in cahoots” for planning Al’s son’s wedding reception at the Kitchi. With the 22nd Annual Inline Marathon in the books, Skeeter Moore thanked all Rotarians who volunteered to make the event a grand success. Branden Robinson then took to the podium to present Past President Sandy Hoff with a novel t-shirt that he may proudly wear to let “all the world know” he is “The Mattress Man”.
Al Makynen reminded us to consider attending the “One Rotary Summit” offered in Duluth next Saturday morning, September 30th that will enrich all Rotarians as future leaders of our Club. The workshop will cover three vital topics: Rotary’s Image, Rotary Membership and Our Foundation. Tricia Bunten asked all Rotarians to review information on qualifications for nomination for Club leadership. You may nominate yourself or a fellow Rotarian to these offices for the coming year.
Rotary Rose Sale Chair Matt Rosendahl shared updates on the 2017 Rotary Rose Sale. He encouraged everyone to remain vigilant in our efforts and that next week the top team will receive a pizza party from Sammy’s Pizza. It was then that Tricia Bunten called forth Past President Dave McLean to settle a dispute of Rose Sale Piracy! Fortunately, Dave and Matt both came to an amicable accord with Dave using the opportunity to remind us that a Rotarian shall never dismiss a sales opportunity
Jeff Bradt invited Katrina to share a stirring update on her progress. Katrina is successfully recovering from an opioid addiction. Her life is on track. Through the City of Duluth YES program, she is employed by Valentini’s Restaurant, finished her GED, is attending college, and is making a good life for her and her son. Congratulations Katrina!
Speaker Dr. Nick Van Deelen and Chair of the Day Catherine Carter Huber
Chair of the Day Catherine Carter Huber introduced our speaker Dr. Nick Van Deelen, Medical Director for St. Luke’s Emergency Department who in turn introduced his wife (Lynne). Dr. Van Deelen is a veteran of 20 years at St. Luke’s and has witnessed first-hand the devastating effects that the Opioid Crisis has in our community. Following a brief history of opioids – in their natural and synthetic states, Dr. Van Deelen shared disturbing information that gave all Rotarians pause: up to 16% of opioid users become addicted. More than 100 people die from this every day across the US. Death is caused by the human body “forgetting to breath.” Although opioids have been used to manage severe acute pain and chronic pain often found with cancer, pharmaceutical companies have marketed opioids as “effective and safe” for minor pain management. While these companies made billions of dollars in profits, the “safe use” myth was dispelled at great cost to our fellow citizens and the economy – killing over 33,000 people in 2015 alone and costing $78 billion in 2013. Dr. Van Deelen said the projected cost of this crisis is now between $100B to $200B. Opioids deliver a euphoric state as it represses pain receptors in the body. For some, this is manageable and addiction is not an outcome. For too many others, addiction results in loss of control, destructive behavior and compulsive lying, often leading to crime. St. Louis County has one of the highest populations of opioid addiction – with the Native American community hardest hit. People between 25 to 54 years of age are most susceptible. Dr. Van Deelen informed us that the term “Opioid Addiction” should now be referred to as “Opioid Use Disorder,”, and like other familiar addictions, this is clinically identified as a disease and those suffering should not be stigmatized. As for treatment, Dr. Van Deelen shared that a combination of medical professionals and civic leaders are making a difference. A number of Duluth doctors are working to help those suffering through “medical assisted therapy” that Dr. Van Deelen assured is not replacing one addiction with another. In addition, professionals and clinicians work with individuals to manage their disease through counseling and in-service help. A number of civic entities and pharmacies have entered into the arena helping to monitor and track prescription usage, distributing a “rescue medication” – Naloxone -, promoting more education in schools, enhanced law enforcement and “drug courts”.
Dr. Van Deelen concluded his presentation with a story from his heart. His son, Ben, was lost in February 2016 to an unintentional opioid overdose. Such a personal tragedy only made Dr. Van Deelen’s message more impactful.
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