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SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 www.triplicate.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Crescent City, CA

The growing problem of substance use in California with little result. Many current issues surrounding substance use and addiction recovery involve adequate access to drug rehabilitation, affordability, aftercare and recovery support. Medication-Assisted Treatment and harm reduction will not solve the entirety of the problem.

BY MICHAEL LEACH Guest Article

Many cities in California are ill-equipped to address the increasing number of people battling homelessness, addiction and mental health issues. Counties across the state are throwing millions of dollars at the problem,

While it does save lives with overdose prevention and preventing the spread of disease, one must ask how effective it is in transitioning patients into further treatment. “The most effective approaches we have seen involves residential drug rehab followed by aftercare support,” said Marcel

Gemme of Addicted.org. “However, this is not always accessible for every individual.” The California Health Care Foundation found that 86% of those who attended treatment only received outpatient care. In contrast, only 13% attended a residential program. In addition, those with com-

Watching over the plover

mercial HMO and PPO health plans are not receiving treatment consistent with the National Committee for Quality Assurance standards for quality of care. Only one in eight patients received ongoing care with two follow-up visits after their initial Please see PROBLEM, Page A2

Photo by Taysha Robinson/For The Triplicate

The Salmon Festival in Klamath has grown into a major celebration that draws big crowds to the city to celebrate the fish that is a staple to the Yurok Tribe.

Photo courtesy of Kathy Castelein

Kathy Castelein looks over snowy plover chicks as parts of an effort to save the birds that lay their eggs along the California and Oregon coast.

Bandon biologists dedicate themselves to snowy plover recovery BY BREANA LAUGHLIN The Triplicate

Snowy plovers are a rare shorebird species that live on Oregon beaches. These ﬂuffy little birds blend in with their surroundings and can be hard to spot. Just few decades ago these birds almost disappeared for good. The populations of the Western Snowy Plover have made a comeback thanks to a coordinated effort by biologists, volunteers and educated beachgoers up and down the Oregon Coast. Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein have been on the forefront

of this effort. The Bandon-based biologists came to Oregon to study plovers 26-years-ago. “We were hired to do the job the ﬁrst year, and then we liked it so much it turned into another year… and then it turned into 26 years,” Lauten said. The biologists study the birds by ﬁnding their nests – which consist of just a few tiny eggs laid right in the sand. They monitor the nests along with the mating pairs of birds. When the baby birds hatch, the biologists put small colored bands on their legs in order to track them. “It’s interesting to study the individual birds at each beach and

see the dynamics of population – and what is working and what isn’t working,” Castelein said. Lauten and Castelein have worked with the Nature Conservancy and Oregon State University, and they now work with Portland State University’s Oregon Biodiversity Information Center. Their dedication to birds and to wildlife is what keeps them motivated. “We work 7-days a week all summer long. You have to have the passion to get up out of bed at 5 a.m. every morning day after Please see PLOVER, Page A10

Salmon Festival celebrates Yurok staple BY TAYSHA ROBINSON For The Triplicate

There’s not much going on in Klamath besides seemingly never ending construction and the infamous statues of one hairy chested logger and his loyal blue ox. But come mid- August, the entire township is buzzing about, preparing for the biggest event of the year- the Salmon Festival. Over the years, the Salmon Festival has boasted many a contest, tournament, vendor, and food tent and this year was no different. The festival is an homage paid to the Yurok staple food of salmon or ne-puey as the Yurok call it, whose beautiful-

ly coral pink and deliciously healthy presence in their culture continues to nourish the isolated community - both in traditional value and monetary gain. The cultural significance of salmon in this area is unmatched and considering their dwindling numbers due to dams, overfishing and natural disasters like the mudslide that caused a massive fish die off recently, the festival in their honor every year is all the more important. In addition to the salty fresh subject of celebration, the Salmon Festival is an opportunity for vendors to engage the small community and it’s impressive flock of feasting and festive fans. From young entrepreneurs Please see SALMON, Page A2

Del Norte senior surpasses 2,000 career yards in opener BY RAY HAMILL For The Triplicate

Del Norte senior RJ Loftin enjoyed a milestone achievement in the Warriors’ season opener in football this past weekend, as they kicked off the new campaign in impressive fashion. The reigning Big 4 Offensive MVP scored four touchdowns to lead Del Norte to an emphatic 71-13 victory over Kelseyville under the lights at Mike Whalen Field. Loftin ﬁnished the night with 127 yards on 10 carries and surpassed the 2,000-yard career mark. And, according to his head coach, his hard work is paying off. “It starts with his offseason,” Del Norte head coach Nick White said of Loftin, who broke into the varsity team late in his freshman year. “He works out

Photo by Ray Hamill/ For The Triplicate

Del Norte senior running back RJ Loftin, seen here breaking free for yardage in Del Norte’s scrimmage two weeks ago, reached a milestone in the Warriors’ season-opening victory over Kelseyville by topping 2,000 yards for his career. In the game, Loftin carried the ball only 10 times but gained 127 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead his team to the win.

Please see WARRIORS, Page A9

INDEX Crossword Puzzle

Phone Number: 707-460-6727 A2

Obituaries Crossword Answers

Weather & Tides