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LEARN THE FACTS.

A drug rehab or psychiatric hospital, on a remote residential island, with little infrastructure, is not safe for the patients nor the residents.  And residents are not being told the truth. 

VIOLATION OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT

KING COUNTY COUNCILMEMBERS IGNORING LAWS THAT REQUIRE

PROPER PUBLIC PROCESS.

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On April 4th 2024, King County Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda, Sarah Perry, Girmay Zahilay, and Reagan Dunn held a public meeting on Vashon to discuss the once-a-decade Comprehensive Plan update process. Two islanders who asked about the proposed Thunderbird project were told that the subject was not up for discussion as it was not part of the comp plan consideration.  They were gaslighted.  It is, and it is the target of this zoning change.

 

On May 14, 2024, an amendment for the new zoning was released affecting all unincorporated parts of King County (including Vashon).  ANY residential property or lot zoned like an apartment building on Vashon can be turned into a drug rehab or psychiatric hospital.
 

Land use attorneys, hired by concerned islanders, asked the King County Committee to hold off on their vote about changing zoning until there was proper public process as required by the Growth Management Act, which mandates “early and continuous public participation” and requires the county to "provide 30-days notice of public hearings on amendments."

The proposed new zoning was released on May 14, ONE DAY before the final public meetings May 15th and 16th. The public had 1 day to review 700 pages and provide comments. ONE DAY.


On June 5, 2024, all council members - except Reagan Dunn - disregarded The Growth Management Act and pushed the zoning change forward anyway.

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***READ ATTORNEYS' LETTER IN DOCUMENTATION SECTION.***

The People Are Being Misled

On June 4th, 2024, CM Mosqueda sent an email to islanders who opposed the drug rehab writing, “The amendment… is not specific to any site or jurisdiction.” But there is this language in the Vashon section of the Comp Plan, “culturally informed and inclusive behavioral healthcare,” and Seattle Indian Health Board uses similar language on their website, “culturally attuned inpatient treatment and at the meeting they came to in April of 2023.”  This is one hundred percent about Thunderbird.

 

***SEE DOCUMENTATION***

SAFETY OF PATIENTS

WE HAVE INTERVIEWED 5 EXPERTS IN ADDICTION REHAB

 

 A mental health counselor with 43 years of experience, a former addict now drug counselor with 23 years experience, an ER doctor in a rural area who manages addicts every day, a former director of a drug rehab on an Indian reservation and a current director at a large reputable treatment facility. 

 

Every single expert said that Thunderbird needs to be near a fully equipped hospital or patients could die.

 

Here is one quote, “You are putting the most vulnerable of people - except children - in an unsafe environment.”
 

Many addicts are physically sick due to serious damage drugs have done to their bodies, i.e. liver disease, cirrhosis, cardio myelopathy, heart attacks, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, MRSA infections, fluid on the abdomen, ascites, abscesses…

 

In a video call with Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda explaining why Vashon is an inappropriate location for an drug rehab, the ER doctor gave  an example of a very young woman with back pain, who was brought to the ER from a drug rehab.  He discovered she had abscesses on her spine pulmonary embolisms due to drug damage and If she didn’t have immediate emergency surgery, she would have died. 

 

FACT: Not one Betty Ford center is more than 8 minutes from a major hospital by design. 

 

Through public disclosure we learned the former Thunderbird over the years had hundreds of emergency calls including transports.

Every expert said a pregnant addict going into labor without hospital support could die.  

And every one said that housing women and children with general population addicts was dangerous.
 

NO DETOX -  NOT TRUE

Multiple people heard a SIHB rep that they won't be doing detox now, but doesn't mean they won't be in the future.

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Why they will be doing detox whether they are permitted for it, or not:

 

It’s very common for addicts to tell themselves, “I’ll have one last high before I check in.”

 

Thunderbird’s past employee and patient reviews tell of drug use inside the facility.  (Documentation below)

 

All facilities have drug drops, happens at every rehab. Family and friends and dealers drop drugs to patients inside the rehab and patients sneak drugs in via body cavities. 
(Documentation below)

 

Patients who are detoxing can have a psychotic break.  One expert said a person experiencing psychosis will run and run and not stop.  And if they can’t get off the island they may try to swim across the sound.  

 

Often a person in a psychotic state may try to hurt another person or themselves with suicidal ideation.  


Patients who have had a period of sobriety for any reason - like being in jail - when they do drugs again the effects will hit them harder than if they hadn’t stopped at all - and they overdose.  They need to be near a hospital.

SAFETY OF RESIDENTS

SIHB and Pramila Jayapal repeat the phrase that they've never had a violent crime at their former location.   According to our experts this is impossible.

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Thunderbird claims 60% (referenced 1 quarter in 2018) will graduate their program (national average is only 42%).   Minimum 293 active addicts will walk out of the rehab.  

 

Multiple residents were told by SIHB that their plans for those addicts who walk out are to drop them off at the ferry.  


From Americanaddictioncenters.org, “In fact, research indicates that up to 75% of individuals who begin treatment for a SUD report having engaged in physical assault, mugging, using a weapon to attack another person, and other violent crimes." 2

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Review of the closed Thunderbird describes violence.  (See documentation)

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Violence happens at most drug rehabs, but it is rarely reported to the police. It is written up as an incident and placed inside a patients private file.

 

Rehabs are not allowed to physically nor medically restrain patients.  Rehabs cannot force violent patients to stay inside the facility. 

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It is impossible for patients to be completely vetted for past violent crimes.  One expert told a story of a male addict, almost 18 years old who was raping children.  He went into rehab as an 18 year old - his past crime was not on his record due to being a minor.  Also, violent crimes can be plead down to lesser crimes.  
 

Two islanders were told by a SIHB rep that the bathroom fixtures had to be replaced so that they could not be used as weapons.  

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SIHB is planning for armed guards.

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There is not ONE crime study done referencing a large rehab on a remote residential island.  This location cannot be compared to any other residential neighborhood.

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This is a grand experiment which the many retired  and elderly Vashon residents should not be forced to be a part of.  

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VAHON IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION FOR A DRUG REHAB

Due to the lack of medical facilities, mental health services, dependable public transportation, adequate police support, sufficient medical and fire emergency resources, affordable housing and water shares. We do not have adequate services to meet the needs of our current population, let alone to support a large residential drug treatment facility.

The number one reason there should not be a drug rehab on this island is due to the fact that we do not have a full hospital to support life-saving needs of patients.   

THE NEW ZONING

“Allows this use as a permitted use in the R-12 to R-48 zone with development conditions limited to SIC Industries 8063-Psychiatric Hospitals and 8069- Specialty Hospitals, Except Psychiatric.”

THIS MEANS ANY BUILDING OR LOT ZONED AS AN APARTMENT BUILDING CAN BE A DRUG REHAB OR PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL ANY WHERE ON VASHON - NOT JUST THE VCC BUILDING (ALL OF UNINCORPORATED KING COUNTY).

 

There are several new zoning amendments proposed that need to be explained to the public and as required by the Growth Management Act, the public should be granted a public forum for their voices to be heard.  

Link to new zoning summary, MANY items are confusing and need clarification...

 

https://aqua.kingcounty.gov/council/agendas/LS/20240515-LSLU-Additional.pdf 


 

The Current Plan

This is currently planned for Thunderbird, but remember this can be for any R12-R48 property on Vashon.

Thunderbird states they want 92 beds, rotating every 45 days.  That means every year 736 addicts will be ferried to this remote community.  736 drug addict will be ferried to Vashon every single year.

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Pramila Jayapal's response letter to those opposing this plan indicates there will be addicts flown here from other states.  

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***See Documentation***

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NOT A DONE DEAL
SIHB CANNOT GET A PERMIT

As currently zoned, SIHB cannot get a permit for a residential treatment facility.  This is why they are leaning on politicians to change the zoning.  

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See the internal correspondence between The Beachcomer and the permitting office.  In March of 2024.  "In regards to reporter's specific question, a Residential Treatment Facility" is NOT allowed in the zone for the specific property..."

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May 21, 2024, 3 islanders had a video call with director of permitting for Unincorporated King County, Jim Chan.  Jim confirmed that SIHB cannot get a permit for a residential treatment facility due to the site not being permitted for it.  Currently SIHB is attempting to get a permit for a community residential facility.  

 

community residential facility is not allowed any medical care - not even a nurse.  SIHB cannot run a drug rehab out of a CRF either.   


***Read in Documentation***

Documentation

THUNDERBIRD REVIEWS FROM PAST PATIENTS AND EMPLOYEES

These are all the past reviews found in April 2023 Photos were taken of all of them.  
(See Documentation)

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"Horrible staff from top to the bottom.  The head only care about the beds being filled and the bills getting paid [missing words] centered at all.  Staff driven and they have poor boundaries."

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"This place is horrible.  The receptionist does not know how to do her job.  Constantly getting things wrong like time of the apt. Always had an attitude Treats you like dirt. And even when they do end up getting the time right you still have to wait like an hour before ou end up getting seen."

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"This is the the best place to send anyone you love or care about to the residential or outpatient program at this facility for drug and alcohol treatment.  They are all about looking good in the country and states eyes for funding purposes.  Some stafff have no boundaries and are unethical in more ways than one.  Administrative staff stick together and lash out on people of color for speaking their mind.  They are very racist and play favorites.  This agency does not like anyone to bring new ideas to the table unless its theirs and care more about brining in the money then the well being of individuals that are seeking help.  How sad and sorry to witness this type of behavior take place in front of your eyes.  Someone would be better off trying to get clean on their own if this is their only option of help. 

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I have two thumbs up to the doctors, nurses, mental health dept. and the pharmacy for their great work and caring spirits."

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"Not Native American center.  It is more of a prison type setting."

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"This treatment is for the lowest of the low poverty stricken individuals.  But regardless -- treatment will work if you allow it too-- Overall at least I had somewhere to go and try getting sober - and it is better than under the bridge.  I entered treatment sometime around February 2008 or so..."

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"Discriminatory.  Amazing place to work at the beginning but when the director died it changed for the worse towards staff and clients well.  Several overdoses, inappropriate behavior by Supervisors and Management, and blatant discrimination towards any non Natives employed or Clients."

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"Stressful job. Very stressful job, low wages, no job manual or protocols, lack of support from management, miss guided in how to do the position, unorganized and safety not always number one."  

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"Thunderbird is a mixed experience.  It is a culturally challenge workplace and diversity is a challenge both with employment and client services.  It has helped a lot of people but the atmosphere is toxic and administrative support of the facility by SIHB was neglectful."  

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"given new task weekly. fast paste work force. a very demanding job that requires you to be on your feet for most of the shift.  must be able to multi task through out the day."

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"Scouting for potential clients."

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"Sucks big time."

 

"I'm glad this SOB is closed."

 

"Bad juju don't go!!!"

 

"Be careful who you put your trust in.  There is always a snake in the grass at Thunderbird."

 

"My sister was at this place was about to graduate and got hit by another inmate and they kicked her out the day before graduation its ghetto there and its not native based like they say the facility its mixed raced and over half the staff is not native the counselors barley see there people endless you sit in the lobby and make them see you there super unorganized and I wouldn't encourage anyone to go there!"

 

"No personal return phone calls.  They made promises they never kept.  My son participated here.  They promised to help him get a place to live, instead they insisted stye were too busy.  Unprofessional employees were allowed to go about making choices that can change people's lives, and or ruin them.  They deal with people trying to change.  Instead he was backed into a corner."

 

"Kind of a quasi-prison rehab.  Met one other person here voluntarily, sort of... said judge would have order if he didn't volunteer.  Kind of a rough crowd.  They only allow meals at mealtime.  And there's a Coke machine.  Food can't leave cafeteria.  No coffee cigarettes etc. allowed.  Lights out at 10:30.  The accommodations are horrid.  Tiny cots with ancient mattresses covered in plastic, I'm sure due to bed bugs.  Lost of repeat offenders in drug court.  That place was a joke and did no good for anyone.  All of them were pathological maniacal liars and criminals.  And petty thieves that would lurk around your cabin and walk through it really abruptly for no reason.  God.  I'm going to write an article about that place for the stranger.  The group meetings are a joke, shouting matches, etc.  This makes me really uncomfortable.  Any semi-normal person I've talked to is like "many why are you here, I'd be out of here in no time."  Wisest choice I ever made was getting the fuck out there and continuing to sleep in my car until I figure things out."

 

"High stress but rewarding if you are in it for the clients and not the money.  No two days are the same, the sense of urgency from clients are consistent and unpredictable yet typical.  Staff appears more of the problem then the clients themselves, yet when times get really hard it's the staff that are there to help you out.  No stable or consistent rules or policies, things change as often as the clients.  If you are in it for the "hope" this is a great place to work.  if you are here for the money don't waste your time."

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"Very toxic environment and incompetent management/supervisor.  Nor training offered for Resident Aides high turnover lack of support, supervisor that has no protocol procedures set into place complete lack of organization extremely toxic and chaotic at times.  Supervisor who puts staff at risk with sometimes volatile/psychotic patients Co-workers who steal money, cell phones from both patients and the company.  Run down facility with broken doors, beds, no blinds on patients rooms.  Patients that were using drugs on the property sneaking out and coming back in no support from the supervisor.  Flooding and mold that happened more than once patients who were subjected to living in these emergency situations resident aides were made to go thru these types of situations who no emergency training no protocols put into place even though resident aides continued asking for these the simplest of requirements.  Resident aides were understaffed being made to work with no breaks, supervisor throwing their leadership onto resident aides not taking responsibility for his position."

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"I have been to lakeside Milan and Thunderbird I have to say after just visiting my daughter was a joke.  No security.  No structure.  Patients could come and go as they please.  The facility was not very clean.  Patients were roaming everywhere and could go out on to the street even.  You could have as much money on you as you wanted.  People have entered with alcohol or left the facility only return with alcohol.  they were kicked out of the facility eventually but to be able to arrive with alcohol should never have happened.  We could have brough in alcohol to our daughter and no one would have cared.  We never signed in but once.  There was no one to check it. You are allowed sugar, candy, caffeine, etc.  this while in recover should be a no no, even I know this.  Thunderbird was like a lay over place to stay for those that need a roof and meal for a few days.  This place was a joke.  I cannot say how the counseling was because we were never allowed to meet with the counselors that cared for our daughter.  The entire overall fee, visual and participation etc. was just ridiculously unsafe and uncleanly and very unfriendly or helpful for families.  Families should be a huge part of recovery and should be welcome.  There should be classes to include family members in the recovery process and there was no such thing at Thunderbird.  I would not recommend this facility to any families considering serious recovery for a family member.  My best friends son committed suicide after leaving this facility.  Consider another facility.  Please do not enter into Thunderbird until they choose to make this facility a reality for serious people that was to recover.  Investigate the facility prior to choosing one.  Lakeside Milam is very good but, remember that while attend Lakeside Milam you make your own recovery plan that you choose for yourself and stand by it.  I did and I'm very glad I did.  Good luck to all of you.  You are definitely in my prayers."

Help stop the Proposed Zoning to allow for Drug Rehab and Psychiatric Hospitals in Residential Neighborhoods

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