>> COMING UP NEXT ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT," A STRIKE MAY WELL BE BREWING AT CSU CAMPUSES UP AND DOWN THE STATE, AS NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND ITS FACULTY APPEAR TO BREAK DOWN.

ALSO, LOCAL AUTHOR, JUDITH SURBER, OF THE HOOPA TRIBE JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT HER LIFE, HER WORK, AND HER HIGHLY ACCLAIMED BOOK, "RESERVATION HIGH," ABOUT THE CHALLENGES COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES FACE IN THEIR STRUGGLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

COMING UP NOW ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT".

LIVE CC BY ABERDEEN CAPTIONING 800-688-6621 WWW.ABERCAP.COM FROM THE TOP OF HUMBOLDT HILL, THIS IS "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT".

I'M JAMES FAULK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THESE PAST DECADES IN AMERICAN LIFE HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE POWER AND PAIN THAT ARISES WITH CHEMICAL ADDICTION AND HOW THOSE CHALLENGES CAN CHEW UP AN INDIVIDUAL HUMAN LIFE AND DESTROY IT.

I KNOW BECAUSE I'VE LIVED IT.

IT'S EASIER THAN MOST PEOPLE THINK, AN INJURY SUFFERED ON THE SOFTBALL FIELD OR STEPPING OFF A CURB OR SLAMMING YOUR FINGER IN A CAR DOOR CAN RESULT IN AN EXPOSURE TO AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS MATERIAL.

THOSE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ARE THE VERY THINGS SOCIETY OFFERS IN THOSE MOMENTS TO HELP US FEEL BETTER.

NARCOTIC PAIN KILLERS, USUALLY DERIVED FROM THE OPIUM POPPY, PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM, HAVE GONE FROM BEING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RELIEF IN THE FACE OF AGONIZING PAIN, TO BECOMING THE SOURCE OF THAT VERY AGONY.

I BROKE MY LEG, SHEERED OFF THE TOP OF MY TIBIA, IN A CATASTROPHIC BREAK THAT REQUIRED SIX HOURS OF METICULOUS SURGERY TO REMOVE THE REMNANTS.

WHILE I HAD TAKEN PAIN KILLERS PREVIOUSLY, FOR DENTAL WORK, IT WAS THE PROLONGED EXPOSURE FOLLOWING BONE SURGERY THAT PUT ME IN THE THRALL OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY.

BUT AS ADDICTION NUMBERS HAVE SKYROCKETED AND LIVES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED, WE'VE ALSO SEEN THAT WITH GOOD MORAL AND PHYSICAL SUPPORT, RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE.

BUT TO REALIZE THAT RECOVERY ON AN INDIVIDUAL, AND EVEN COMMUNITY, LEVEL, WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE.

THAT PEOPLE CAN RECOVER, AND WHEN THEY DO, IT'S A BETTER WORLD FOR ALL OF US.

OUR GUEST TODAY, HOOPA WRITER JUDITH SURBER, KNOWS THE STORY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE, OF TRAUMA AND PAIN, AND OF SURVIVAL.

AND FRANKLY, IT'S TO FOLKS LIKE HER, LIKE THOSE MILLIONS OF FAMILIES AND SURVIVORS WHO HAVE ONLY NOW BEGUN TO EMERGE FROM THIS STRUGGLE THEMSELVES, WE HAVE TO TURN TO THEM IN ORDER TO REALIZE TRUE HEALING.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION ABOUT A LIFE OR DEATH ISSUE FACING EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND IN THIS COUNTRY.

JUDITH SURBER IS A PERFECT PERSON TO HELP LEAD THIS DIALOGUE.

AT LEAST IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

BUT FIRST, THE NEWS.

PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC BILLS HAVE JUMPED BY ABOUT $34.50 EACH MONTH FOR AVERAGE HOUSEHOLDS STARTING ON JANUARY 1.

THE HIKE JOINS OTHER INCREASES FROM EARLIER IN 2023, WHICH TOGETHER COULD SEE BILLS INCREASE BY MORE THAN $400 ANNUALLY FROM 2022 LEVELS.

ADDITIONAL SMALLER INCREASES ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS AS WELL.

BOTH THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION AND PG&E EXECUTIVES HAVE SAID THE INCREASES ARE NEEDED TO PAY FOR THE UPDATING OF AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO REDUCE THE RISK OF WILDFIRES.

UTILITY RATES IN CALIFORNIA ARE ALREADY AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY, PRIOR TO THE RATE JUMP.

MARK TONEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RATEPAYER, ADVOCATE NONPROFIT THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK, TOLD THE "SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE" HIS ORGANIZATION IS PUSHING THE STATE TO ESTABLISH A CAP ON RATE INCREASES AND SAID A LACK OF LIMITS ON UTILITY BILLS ARE HURTING CALIFORNIANS.

WE ARE IN AN FORDABILITY CRISIS, THE LIKES WE'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE, TONEY SAID.

THESE INCREASES ARE JUST UNPRECEDENTED.

IN THE FACE OF A BREAKDOWN IN NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE CALIFORNIA FACULTY ASSOCIATION AND THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, THE UNION HAS CALLED FOR A GENERAL WORK STOPPAGE ON CSU CAMPUSES JUST AS THE NEW SEMESTER WAS SET TO BEGIN.

DECRYING THE CFA'S LACK OF MOVEMENT FROM ITS INITIAL PROPOSAL, OVER A PERIOD OF SEVEN MONTHS, THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OFFERED A BAND-AID.

"GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE HAVE TAKEN ACTION TO PROVIDE ALL BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES REPRESENTED BY CFA, FACULTY, COACHES, COUNSELORS, AND LIBRARIANS, WITH WELL-DESERVED RAISES IN THE FORM OF A GENERAL SALARY INCREASE OF 5%, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 31, 2024, ALONG WITH OTHER TERMS, INCLUDING INCREASING DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON PAY AND ALLOWING FOR MODEST INCREASES TO PARKING FEES.

THE UNION, PREDICTABLY, REJECTED THAT OFFER AND MADE PLANS FOR A STRIKE.

"TODAY IN LIEU OF REAL PROPOSALS, MANAGEMENT WALKED AWAY FROM THE TABLE AFTER JUST A FEW MINUTES," SAID CHARLES TOOMBS, CFA PRESIDENT.

"RATHER THAN BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE UNION, THEY EXPRESSED NOTHING BUT DISDAIN FOR FACULTY.

WE KNOW THEY HAVE THE MONEY IN THEIR FLUSH RESERVE ACCOUNTS."

THE STRIKE IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 22 TO JANUARY 26.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CFA, "THE SYSTEMWIDE STRIKE ON ALL 23 CAMPUSES OVER JANUARY 22-26 WILL DEMONSTRATE TO CHANCELLOR MILDRED GARCIA THAT SHE MUST DO RIGHT BY THE FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS OF THE CSU.

JOINING US NOW IS WRITER, JUDITH SURBER, HOOPA TRIBAL MEMBER AND I'M THRILLED TO DEATH TO HAVE YOU HERE TO TALK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> TO GIVE PEOPLE A SENSE OF YOUR RECENT HISTORY, YOU HAVE A BOOK "RESERVATION HIGH" WHICH HAS BEEN HIGHLY ACCLAIMED AND RECENTLY TOGETHER WITH -- I'M SORRY, JUSTIN MAXON, WHO I HAVE HAD ON THE SHOW BEFORE, A GREAT GUY, YOU GUYS COLLABORATED ON A PIECE FOR THE "NEW YORK TIMES" CALLED ADDICTION RAVAGED MY FAMILY AND TRIBE.

I'M FIGHTING TO GET THAT BACK."

THE STORY WAS SELECTED BY THE PULITZER CENTER AS ONE OF THE BEST STORIES OF THE YEAR, WHICH IS ABOUT AS HIGH AS THE PRAISE CAN GET.

>> RIGHT.

IT'S BEEN REALLY EXCITING, JAMES.

JUSTIN AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON OTHER THINGS.

I MET HIM WHEN HE CAME AND DID A "WASHINGTON POST" STORY ON PALLIATIVE CARE AND WE HAD A REPORTER AND HIM SHADOW ME AND MY HUSBAND FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

HE IS REALLY INTO ADDICTION.

HE IS ALSO RECOVERING.

AND SO HIS PIECE WAS IN THE WORKS FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

>> MM-HMM.

BEAUTIFULLY DONE.

>> WE NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD GET THAT HIGH.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE PITCHING IT AND THEN IT WAS ACCEPTED.

I DIDN'T KNOW HOW, HONESTLY, LIFE-CHANGING IT WAS GOING BE TO HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES" AND THEN HAVE IT PICKED BY THE PULITZER FOUNDATION WAS LIKE THE ICES ON THE CAKE AT THAT POINT.

>> I BET.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE MY OWN FEELINGS, BEING A WRITER, TO HAVE THAT KIND OF ACCLAIM.

YOU DESERVE IT.

THE WORK IS BEAUTIFUL.

THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE STORY THAT YOU WRITE IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES" IS BEAUTIFULLY DONE.

IF YOU ARE WATCHING THIS SHOW ON YOUTUBE, THERE WILL BE A LINK IN THE DESCRIPTION TO GO THERE.

THERE MAY BE A PAYWALL, BUT IT IS WORTH THE FEW BUCKS TO CHECK THAT OUT.

AND, OF COURSE, HER BOOK.

FOR THOSE WHO KNOW MY STORY I HAVE A LOT TO LOVE ABOUT JUDITH SURBER'S BOOK.

SHE TELLS ABOUT THE STORY OF ADDICTION IN THE FICTION OF HER LIFE AND HER OWN LIFE IN THE ARTICLE.

CAN YOU TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT MADE YOU APPROACH THIS PROJECT AND WHY YOU THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT WE CHANGE HOW WE ARE ALL THINKING ABOUT THE ADDICTION ISSUE, BOTH IN GREATER SOCIETY AND THEN ON THE RESERVATION?

>> SO, WHEN I WROTE "RESERVATION HIGH," I ACTUALLY STARTED IT IN 2014.

AND AT THAT TIME, HEROIN WAS AT THE HEIGHT OF EVERYTHING.

IF I WROTE IT NOW, I WOULD SUBSTITUTE THE WORD HEROIN FOR FENTANYL BECAUSE FENTANYL HAS KIND OF TAKEN OVER.

I SAY FENTANYL MAKES HEROIN LOOK LIKE A CAKE WALK AT THIS POINT, BUT WHEN I STARTED WRITING THE BOOK, IT WAS A REALLY HARD TIME IN MY LIFE PERSONALLY.

I HAVE NEVER DONE DRUGS IN MY LIFE EXCEPT FOR I SMOKED WEED AS A TEENAGER, BUT IN MY ADULT LIFE, EVERYBODY THAT I LOVED THE MOST HAD REALLY SEVERE ADDICTION PROBLEMS.

AND LIKE YOU SAID, ADDICTION CAN COME TO PEOPLE SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

LIKE NOBODY IS EXEMPT.

AND SO IN MY FAMILY, MY HUSBAND, WHO WAS A WONDERFUL MAN, I LOVED HIM DEARLY, HE WORKED IN THE WOODS AS A LOGGER FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

HE WAS A HARD WORKER.

HE TOOK REALLY GOOD CARE OF ME AND OUR CHILDREN.

AND HE GOT HURT IN THE WOODS.

AND THE FIRST THING THE DOCTORS DID WAS PUT HIM ON PAIN PILLS.

AND THOSE QUICKLY GOT TO BE MORE AND MORE UNTIL ONE DAY ALL OF A SUDDEN PEOPLE SAID, THESE ARE BAD AND WE'RE NOT GOING GIVE THEM TO YOU ANYMORE.

>> EXACTLY.

>> AT THAT POINT SO MANY PEOPLE THEN WENT TO FIND SOMETHING ELSE, LIKE THERE WASN'T SERVICES, MEDICATION BEING OFFERED.

AND PEOPLE DID WHAT THEY HAD TO DO.

LIKE PEOPLE WERE NOT GOING JUST COLD TURKEY AND SUFFER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE COULD MEDICALLY NEVER MAKE IT THROUGH THAT.

HE WAS SICK AT THAT POINT WITH SEVERE COPD AND I LOST HIM IN 2019.

>> I'M SORRY FOR THAT.

>> BUT ALSO TWO OF MY SONS HAVE SEVERE ADDICTION AND WHAT STARTED OFF, THEY WERE YOUNG, RECREATIONAL, USING A FEW NORCOS, AND OXYCONTIN WAS INTRODUCED.

ONE PILL WAS $60, ONE LITTLE GREEN PILL.

THAT QUICKLY TURNED INTO SEVERE ADDICTION.

WHEN THOSE WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND ALSO HEROIN BECAME MORE AVAILABLE, CHEAPER, EVERYBODY JUST KIND OF ROLLED OVER TO THAT.

>> YEAH.

I WAS ONE OF THEM.

>> I LOVE MY CHILDREN.

YEAH.

I LOVE MY FAMILY AND I STOOD BY THEM.

BUT IT WAS A VERY LONELY TIME FOR ME PERSONALLY.

I HAD A HARD JOB.

I HAD A POLITICAL APPOINTMENT HERE AS THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE HOOPA TRIBE.

AND PEOPLE, I JUST FELT LIKE I LOST PEOPLE.

THEY WOULD SAY, OH, JUDY MUST LIKE IT.

SHE DOESN'T LEAVE.

OR JUDY MUST LIKE IT.

SHE DOESN'T KICK THEM OUT.

THE STIGMA AND THE JUDGMENT THAT COMES DOWN ON THE FAMILY IS REALLY HARSH.

AND EVEN TODAY, I GET BEAT UP OVER IT A LOT IN MY OWN COMMUNITY AND IT HURTS.

AND IT'S HARD.

AND IT WAS JUST A REALLY HARD TIME IN MY LIFE SO I STARTED WRITING THE BOOK.

I ALWAYS WAS A WRITER.

AND I WAS A GRANT WRITER.

I DID FICTION AND CREATIVE, BUT I NEVER HAD FINISHED AN ACTUAL NOVEL.

SO I STARTED WRITING IT AND I JUST THREW MYSELF INTO IT AND I GOT ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH AND MY SON WAS ONE OF THE MEN THAT WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD AT REDWOOD GROVE IN 2015 AND THE CHEST.

AND HE'S ALIVE AND HE SURVIVED, BUT IT WAS REALLY A HARD YEAR FOR US, TRAUMA-WISE.

AND A MONTH LATER MY YOUNGEST AND ONLY DAUGHTER WAS STABBED IN A DV INCIDENT THREE TIMES.

SO I HAD THESE SEVERE TRAUMAS BACK-TO-BACK.

THEY WERE PRETTY MUCH DRUG RELATED.

AND AT THAT POINT I DECIDED I WAS GOING FINISH THIS BOOK IF IT WAS THE LAST THING I DID.

SO I JUST SUNK MYSELF INTO IT.

I WANTED TO MAKE THE CHARACTERS LIKABLE.

I WANTED PEOPLE TO HAVE EMPATHY.

I WANTED THEM TO SEE THESE WEREN'T BAD PEOPLE.

THEY WERE LOST AND THEY NEEDED HELP AND THERE WAS HELP FOR THEM.

BUT I WANTED PEOPLE TO SEE THAT PEOPLE DO GET LOST AND THEY CAN GET OUT AND SO THAT'S WHAT PROMPTED THIS BOOK.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES THERE, WHICH IS THE BOOK, WHICH IS FICTION.

YOU HAVE THE STORY IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES" WHICH IS FACTUAL, IT IS BASICALLY REPORTING.

I'M WONDERING ABOUT WHEN YOU WERE WRITING THE BOOK HOW DID YOU DRAW THE LINE BETWEEN FICTION AND REALITY?

WHAT DETAILS TO USE AND WHERE THERE -- YEAH.

>> SO I DIDN'T WANT TO USE MY FAMILY'S STORY.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT ROLL OVER IN ADDICTION FOR EVERY FAMILY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THERE ARE SIMILARITIES.

SO I HAD SO MANY PEOPLE COME UP AND SAY, I FEEL LIKE YOU TOLD MY STORY.

HOW DID YOU KNOW THIS HAPPENED TO ME?

OR A LOT OF THE CHARACTERS, THEY THINK, IS AFTER SOMEBODY, BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY, I HAVE A REALLY GOOD IMAGINATION AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY A COMBINATION OF JUST A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF PERSONALITITIES.

>> YEAH.

>> THEY WERE FICTION PEOPLE.

BUT THERE ARE JUST SO MANY SIMILARITIES OF HOW IT HAPPENS OR WHAT THE FEELINGS ARE OR THE FALLOUT TO THE MOM.

THERE IS THE MOM WHO IS TRYING SO HARD, BUT PEOPLE LOOK DOWN ON HER.

THAT WAS A LOT BASED ON HOW I FELT.

THE CHILDREN WHO ALL OF A SUDDEN DOESN'T HAVE THEIR MOTHER.

SO IT WAS A COMPILATION OF A LOT OF THINGS, BUT NO PARTICULAR STORY.

AT THAT TIME I JUST DIDN'T, HONESTLY, FEEL SECURE ENOUGH TO TELL MY STORY.

AND IT FELT TOO PERSONAL.

AND I DIDN'T FEEL BRAVE ENOUGH, I GUESS.

BUT WHEN WE STARTED DOING THE ARTICLE, THE DAY IT CAME OUT IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES" I CRINGED ALL DAY.

I WAS JUST WAITING FOR, LIKE, TO REALLY GET BASHED.

I WAS EXPECTING MY PHONE TO GO OFF WITH A LOT OF REALLY NEGATIVE STUFF.

I STARTED FEELING SICK THAT DAY THINKING, OH, MY GOSH, WHAT HAVE I DONE TO MYSELF.

BUT I CAN HONESTLY SAY I HAVE GOTTEN HUNDREDS OF E-MAILS AND CALLS AND TEXTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND THEY HAVE ALL BEEN SO POSITIVE AND I REALLY HAVEN'T GOT MUCH NEGATIVE.

I HAVE JUST HAD SUCH SUPPORTIVE ONES FROM A LADY IN GREECE AND A MAN IN FRANCE AND MY INDIGENOUS SISTERS IN CANADA AND PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE MAP FIELD AND RECOVERING PEOPLE.

ONE MAN WROTE AND SAID I HAD SOMEBODY IN THE WORLD WHO LOVED ME LIKE YOU LOVE YOUR KIDS AND I'M ONLY HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF THAT.

KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

AND SO SURPRISINGLY, I GUESS, FOR ME I HAD THIS REALLY POSITIVE NICE THINGS COME OUT OF THE STORY.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING.

I, IN MY OWN POST ADDICTION CAREER, WE PRODUCED A DOCUMENTARY CALLED "ADDICTS AMONG US" AND MY WIFE WAS IN IT.

SHE HAS BEEN MY PARTNER THROUGH ALL OF MY ISSUES, UPS AND DOWNS.

SHE LEFT ME FOR A WHILE, BUT THEN WE GOT BACK TOGETHER.

WE HAVE FOUR KIDS.

HER PART OF THE DOCUMENTARY, OSTENSIBLY ABOUT MY ISSUE AND MY RECOVERY AND HEROIN ADDICTION.

THE STORY THAT IS SHOWN IN THE DOCUMENTARY AND IS TRUE IN YOUR CASE AS WELL IS THE REAL COMPLEX CHARACTER, THE PIVOTAL PERSON IN THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE CAN SUCCEED OR NOT IS OFTEN THE LOVED ONES, WHETHER IT IS A MOTHER OR A FATHER OR A BROTHER OR A SISTER.

IT IS A PERSON WHO CONTINUES TO HAVE THAT PERSON'S INTERESTS AT HEART AND IS ROOTING FOR THEM IN SPITE OF ALL THE BAD THINGS THAT MAY BE GOING ON OR THE CRIMES THAT MAY BE COMMITTED.

THERE IS STILL THIS, YOU KNOW, SELFLESS LOVE THING GOING ON.

FOR MYSELF, THAT IS WHAT MADE MY RECOVERY POSSIBLE AND I THINK THAT MORE PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THE VALUE OF THAT, RATHER THAN SHAME OR REJECTION OR ALL THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE DO WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO SAVE A LOVED ONE WHO IS LOST TO THIS DISEASE.

THE DISENGAGING AND THE TOUGH LOVE THING, FROM MY EXPERIENCE, DOESN'T WORK.

IT FURTHER ISOLATES PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE WHERE THEY CAN LAND SO THEY ARE MORE AT RISK THAN THEY WOULD BE OTHERWISE.

SO ANYWAY, JUST A COMMONALTY BETWEEN, IT IS LIKE YOU GUYS ARE THE ONES, I'M ALMOST TALKING TO MY WIFE HERE, WHO END UP RESCUING THAT FAMILY AND PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO MERGE INTO.

I THINK YOU NEED TO BE COMMENDED FOR TELLING THAT STORY AND ALSO FOR LIVING THAT LIFE.

SO I APPRECIATE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

I DO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T SAY TOUGH LOVE DOESN'T WORK FOR MAYBE SOME PEOPLE.

>> SURE.

>> BUT I TRIED IT WITH MY FAMILY.

IT DIDN'T WORK AND I HAVEN'T SEEN IT WORK OFTEN.

I MEAN, THE ONLY TIMES MY KIDS HAVE DONE BETTER IS WHEN I JUST LOVED THEM UNCONDITIONALLY THROUGH IT.

I THINK PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE YOU CAN LOVE YOUR CHILDREN AND SUPPORT THEM WITHOUT SUPPORTING THE ADDICTION.

YOU KNOW?

IS >> YEAH.

>> I HAVE A SON LIVING ON THE STREET IN SANTA ROSA.

I SET UP AN ACCOUNT.

I WILL ORDER HIM A BURGER AT BURGER KING HE CAN PICK UP.

OR I GET HIM A SLEEPING BAG BECAUSE I HATE HOW HE IS LIVING AND I WORRY EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M THERE FOR HIM, I LOVE HIM REGARDLESS AND HE KNOWS THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> HE KNOWS THAT HE CAN COME AND I HAVE OPEN ARMS AT ANY TIME FOR HIM.

>> IT IS EASY FOR ME TO SAY TOUGH LOVE DOESN'T WORK.

OBVIOUSLY, IN THESE RELATIONSHIPS YOU HAVE TO SET BOUNDARIES BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING KEEP COMING TO YOU AND YOU CAN GET EXHAUSTED EMOTIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

HEARING YOUR STORY, AND THINGS MISSING FROM YOUR HOUSE.

I STOLE FROM MY OWN MOTHER AND I HAD TO GO BACK YEARS LATER AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

I'M JUST THANKFUL I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT CHANGE AND I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE GET THERE AS WELL.

TO DO THAT IT SEEMS THERE IS AN ONGOING ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ELSEWHERE WHERE THE STIGMA HASN'T CURRENTLY DISSIPATED YET.

IT IS A DISEASE.

IT IS A MODEL OF TREATMENT THAT IMPLIES THERE MIGHT BE MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS WE CAN DO TO HELP PEOPLE SURVIVE AND THRIVE LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THE PERMANENT BREAK OFF OF CHEMICALS.

YOU HAPPEN TO RUN A CLINIC IN THAT REGARD, AM I RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

I'M THE MANAGE OF THE MAP PROGRAM HERE IN HOOPA.

I THINK ONE MISCONCEPTION PEOPLE HAVE IS SUBOXEN OR EVEN METHADONE ARE TEMPORARY.

THAT SOME PEOPLE -- I MEAN, I HAVE HEARD EN EVEN PROFESSIONALS SAY IT SHOULD BE SHORT TERM.

A LOT OF US IN THE FIELD DO NOT BELIEVE THAT.

I SAY IT IS LIKE DIABETES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SOME PEOPLE EXERCISE AND CHANGE THEIR DIET AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAVE INSULIN OR MEDICATIONS AND SOME PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT HAVE TO HAVE MEDICATION THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.

SO IT IS A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

SOME PEOPLE SUCCESSFULLY GET OFF SUBOXEN EVENTUALLY AND SOME PEOPLE PROBABLY NEVER WILL, BUT THEY ARE HAVING A LIFE.

THEY ARE WORKING.

THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF THEIR FAMILY.

THEY ARE NOT STEALING.

THEY ARE NOT COMMITTING CRIMES ANYMORE.

SO I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT AS THE MEDICAL DISEASE THAT IT IS.

>> YEAH.

AND TAKE THAT STIGMA AWAY.

I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO TAKE THE STIGMA AWAY FROM RELAPSE.

PEOPLE DO RELAPSE.

IT HAPPENS.

>> IT IS PART OF THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY.

YES.

>> IT IS.

I NOTICE WITH THE OLD-SCHOOL THINKING, YOU KNOW, THEY COUNT THEIR DAYS AND I HAVE BEEN CLEAN 60 DAYS AND I HAVE BEEN CLEAN TWO YEARS AND THEN THEY HAVE A RELAPSE AND THEY HAVE TO START OVER AND THAT IS A REALLY HARD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO COME TO TERMS WITH.

>> YEAH.

>> TO ME, THOSE DAYS NEVER WENT ANYWHERE.

YOU STILL HAVE THEM.

I THINK IF WE WOULD TAKE THAT STIGMA AWAY, PEOPLE WOULD COME GET RIGHT BACK ON THE WAGON SOONER AND WORK AGAIN TOWARDS RECOVERY INSTEAD OF FEELING THIS SHAME THEY HAVE TO CARRY WITH THEM FOR RELAPSING, WHICH WE KNOW HAPPENS AND IS VERY NORMAL IN RECOVERY PERIODS.

>> YEAH.

SHAME IS A LOT OF TIMES IS WHAT AT THE SOURCE OF THE ADDICTION PROPER.

ANYTHING WE DO TO ADD ON TO SHAME PEOPLE MAY BE FEELING NATURALLY ABOUT WHATEVER ELSE IS GOING ON IN THEIR LIFE DOESN'T HELP.

>> RIGHT.

>> ANOTHER THING YOU MENTIONED IS TRAUMA.

I THINK TRAUMA LED ME TO ABUSE DRUGS, AT LEAST IT HELPED ME TO MASK EMOTIONAL, YOU KNOW, PAIN WHEN I DISCOVERED THEM, THAT IS WHAT I USED THEM FOR, WHICH I THINK LED TO THE ADDICTION.

IT SEEMS LIKE TRAUMA IS ONE OF THE ENGINES OF WHAT CAUSE ADDICTION RATES TO GO UP.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY HAS A REALLY HIGH RATE OF ADOLESCENT TRAUMA AND AS A RESULT THAT BREEDS MORE ADDICTS WHICH TURN INTO PARENTS WHO CAN SOMETIMES CAUSE TRAUMA TO THEIR OWN KIDS AND IT BECOMES THIS SELF-FEEDING CYCLE.

I KNOW FOR A NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE WHERE HISTORIC TRAUMA IS LOOMING IN THE PAST FOR THE PAST 150 YEARS AND WE ARE TALKING DESPERATE CONDITIONS A LOT OF THE TIME, CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THAT BIGGER TRAUMA CREATES A SPECIAL CHALLENGE?

>> WELL, FIRST I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, MY SECOND BOOK, WHICH WILL BE OUT IN FEBRUARY, IS ABOUT TRAUMA.

>> OKAY.

>> IT IS CALLED "THE BROKEN ONES."

WITH THE ARTICLE IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES" I HAVE NOW SIGNED A TWO-BOOK DEAL WITH RIVERDALE AVENUE PUBLISHING COMPANY.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT'S AMAZING.

>> THEY ARE GOING DO A REPRINT ON "RESERVATION HIGH" WITH A NEW COVER.

THEY ARE GOING MARKET IT AND GET IT OUT FOR ME AND HAVE SOME QUOTES FROM PLACES.

AND THEN THE NEXT BOOK WILL BE OUT, I BELIEVE THEY SAID THE END OF FEBRUARY.

SO IT ISN'T ABOUT ADDICTION AS MUCH AS IT IS ABOUT TRAUMA.

>> MM-HMM.

>> AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOME MENTAL HEALTH THINGS AND THE TRAUMA THAT GOES ON IN NATIVE COUNTRY.

BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE TRAUMA IS THE BASE OF A LOT OF THE ADDICTION.

I BELIEVE WE -- I DO BELIEVE IT IS HARD.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON'T BELIEVE IN GENERATIONAL TRAUMA, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT HUMBOLDT COUNTY AND, LIKE, SPECIFICALLY HOOPA, WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE CONTACT HERE UNTIL 1960s.

I MEAN 1860s.

SO WE DON'T HAVE THAT LONG LIKE SOME OF THE TRIBES BACK EAST WHO HAD CONTACT IN THE 1600s AND THE 1500s.

OURS WAS VERY LATE COMPARED TO A LOT OF OTHER TRIBES.

OUR TRAUMA IS MORE RECENT.

THE HISTORICAL TRAUMA, WE HAVE A LOT OF TRAGEDY HERE.

A LOT OF DEATHS.

I MEAN THERE'S WEEKS WE GO BY WITH THREE FUNERALS A WEEK.

IN THE LAST YEAR WE'VE HAD 15 PLUS FATAL OVERDOSES.

WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY TRAGIC WRECKS.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF TRAGEDY.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF LOSS.

THEN YOU MIX THE HISTORICAL AND YOU MIX THE POVERTY.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE.

I MEAN, THERE'S JUST SO MANY THINGS THAT PLAY INTO ADDICTION AND I REALLY FEEL LIKE WE HAVE TO WORK HARD TO ELEVATE EACH PERSON AND EACH FAMILY.

>> YEAH.

>> MEETING THEIR NEEDS.

MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE HOUSING AND FOOD AND, I MEAN, THAT IS A LOT OF THE BATTLE.

AND EVEN KINDNESS.

LIKE, WHEN OUR -- WE DO A LOT OF OUTREACH AT MY PROGRAM.

WE BELIEVE IN HARM REDUCTION AND MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WE GO OUT, I HAVE A GREAT CREW HERE WHO GOES OUT EVERY DAY ON THE STREET.

I SAY EVEN IF PEOPLE AREN'T READY FOR TREATMENT YET, JUST BE REALLY KIND TO THEM BECAUSE EVERYBODY NEEDS THAT KINDNESS.

EVERYBODY IS NOT IN A GOOD PLACE.

AND WHEN THEY DO WANT TO GET HELP OR TREATMENT, THEY'LL REMEMBER THAT AND WE'LL GET THEM BACK THAT WAY.

TRAUMA DOES PLAY IN A LOT, THOUGH.

THAT IS WHY MY SECOND BOOK IS ABOUT THE TRAUMA.

>> WELL, YEAH.

I WILL LOOK FOR THAT ONE AS WELL.

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST DISCOVERING THIS IN THEIR LIVES, WHETHER THEY HAVE JUST BECOME AWARE SOMEONE IN THEIR FAMILY ARE ADDICTED OR THEY THEMSELVES MAY BE BACKING ADDICTED, WHAT SHOULD THEY DO IF THERE COULD BE A CANCER IN YOUR LIFE?

SHOULD YOU NOT OVERREACT.

WHAT SHOULD THE FIRST STEPS PEOPLE TAKE?

>> THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD DO IS NOT BLAME YOURSELF.

ESPECIALLY A PARENT.

I THINK PARENTS REALLY TEND TO BLAME THEMSELVES.

AND SOCIETY BLAMES YOU, TOO.

SO THEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT DID I DO WRONG?

WHAT COULD I HAVE DONE DIFFERENT?

HOW DID I -- YOU KNOW, AND IT IS REALLY NOT ABOUT BLAMING.

I DON'T KNOW WHY SOCIETY FEELS LIKE THEY ALWAYS HAVE TO BLAME, HAVE SOMEBODY TO BLAME.

IF YOU WANT TO BLAME SOMEBODY, BLAME BIG PHARMA COMPANIES OR SOMETHING.

>> YEAH.

>> NOT YOURSELF, NOT YOUR NEIGHBOR, NOT YOUR FRIEND, NOT YOUR RELATIVE.

AND THEN I WOULD JUST SAY BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND TO THE PERSON YOU LOVE.

THEY ARE NOT DOING IT ON PURPOSE.

I HAD TO LEARN THAT MY KIDS DID LOVE ME.

LIKE, I WOULD SAY THINGS LIKE, IF YOU LOVED ME, YOU WOULD QUIT.

AND I LEARNED THAT WASN'T TRUE.

I KNOW MY SONS AND MY KIDS REALLY, REALLY LOVE ME AND I KNOW IF THEY COULD HAVE JUST QUIT, THEY WOULD HAVE NOW.

BUT I USED TO FEEL LIKE THAT.

THEY DIDN'T LOVE ME BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL, YOU KNOW, SO JUST REALIZE THEY ARE NOT DOING IT TO HURT YOU.

THEY ARE NOT DOING IT TO RUIN YOUR DAY OR YOUR LIFE.

AND THEN I WOULD LOOK INTO TREATMENT.

THERE IS TREATMENT.

SOME PEOPLE THE SUBOXEN WORKS FOR, BUT NOT EVERYBODY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO GO OUT TO METHADONE.

I SEE THAT GETTING THIS BIG STIGMA, TOO, WHERE PEOPLE ARE, THAT IS A DRUG FOR A DRUG.

I KNOW PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN OFF FENTANYL.

FENTANYL IS 50 TIMES STRONGER THAN HEROIN, SO HOW THEY TREAT THE DETOX AND RECOVERY HAS TO BE A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WE DID FOR HEROIN.

SO IF SOMEBODY NEEDS METHADONE TO GET OFF THE FENTANYL, IT IS SAFER.

IT CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE.

AND I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO OPEN THEIR MINDS.

SO OPEN YOUR MIND AND LOOK FOR AVENUES TO GET YOUR CHILD HELP.

>> THAT'S AMAZING, ELOQUENT AND YOUR BOOK IS AMAZING AND THE ARTICLE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME FOR THE DAY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SLOW.

>> THANKS, JAMES.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> STAY TUNED.

STAY INFORMED.