Response from Tanya Roberts to Watchdog Report of March 19th

Ms. Tanya Roberts asked that we post your response to Hal's Watchdog Report on the County Commissioners Meeting of March 18, 2013
~Lynn

On Monday, March 18th I spoke before the Craven County Board of Commissioners about NC Operation Medicine Cabinet and NC Operation Medicine Drop. It was a great opportunity to share with our Commissioners as I previously did with the New Bern City Aldermen. Both presentations were met with tremendous support and interest - at least from the elected officials.

By Tuesday, March 19th, Hal James, Watchdog Committee Chairman for the Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association, posted his CCTA Watchdog Report:  http://cctaxpayers.blogspot.com/2013/03/ccta-watchdog-report-19-march-2013.html for the Board meeting. When I read the paragraph about my presentation I immediately prepared and posted my response. Unfortunately some of Mr. James’ information was incorrect.

Here is what Mr. James wrote:

"North Carolina Medicine Cabinet Initiative- 

This presentation was made by Tanya Roberts, recent candidate for the Board of Education. The program has the goal of disposing of unused prescription drugs that people have and have not stored in a safe manner. Drives are held using paid law enforcement officers standing in front of places like grocery stores, drug stores, etc., and accepting unused prescription drugs to be turned over to paid DEA agents to be taken somewhere to be safely disposed of. Commissioner Taylor asked why these drugs could not simply be taken to an incinerator like the one at Carolina East Hospital and be disposed of locally more cheaply. I liked that idea because it got rid of the feds, and frankly after some personal experience with drugs disappearing while in the tender hands of law enforcement personnel, I think there would be less chance of misuse using that method (I once worked in military support to law enforcement). Near the end of the presentation, Commissioner Dacey asked how the program was funded. Darn good question! His answer-

GRANTS for the Neuse River Clean Water Grant Program. NOW I GET IT! No wonder any common sense question was frowned on as throwing cold water on a great idea.

These State and Federal taxes spent at the county level without going through the county administration are bankrupting the country. How many taxpayer supported staff, consultants, free lancers, agencies, etc., etc., are there? Heaven only knows."

Here are my comments:

While I appreciate the effort Mr. James’ makes at recalling for the CCTA followers his interpretation of the Board Meeting, I must offer some corrections to the paragraphs above about my presentation.

First, I never did mention the “Neuse River Clean Water Grants”. My answer to Chairman Dacey was that Operation Medicine Cabinet is funded by grants. I never indicated where the grants came from, only that they were part of the Riverkeepers’ work. Actually, grants can be public (government supported) or private. The grants supporting OMC are privately funded.

Second, though Commissioner Taylor had a great question, it is not feasible for CarolinaEast to host a public take-back program. The costs would be prohibitive and the infrastructure simply is not there. The understanding is that the local law enforcement are handling things well and CarolinaEast is supportive of the work they are doing in the community. This is community policing at its best and law enforcement know first hand the dangers of medications left in homes and potential for abuse and misuse.

Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck held the first take-back event in our state and has continued to ensure that his community is aware of the dangers of prescription medications maintained in private homes. As a conservative Republican, Sheriff Buck understands the need to deal with this issue with a common sense solution. He has been an active and engaging part of our stakeholder’s group and I feel honored to work with him.

I was a guest on the Phil Knight Show this same week and again had the opportunity to share information about the OMD events in Craven County. Mr. Knight was interested and supportive as he always is when it comes to community events. I am so grateful for the time, encouragement and audience he provides. And, we both always learn something from each other!

Finally, I do not know what Mr. James’ comment “No wonder any common sense question was frowned on as throwing cold water on a great idea” means. What I do know is that the NC OMC and NC OMD initiatives are important contributors to the prescription drug abuse problems we currently face. Though asking about funding can be important, there are other questions that also needed to be answered. Not all issues can be solved solely based on finances. If you only look at an issue through one perspective you are likely to miss a great deal and in fact you may miss the entire point.

Thank you,
Tanya Roberts