Marin health boards should not be merged

As noted in the article in the Marin IJ published on March 29 with the headline “Marin health advisers resist board consolidation,” the Alcohol and Other Drug Advisory Committee opposes the proposal by Marin Health and Human Services Director Benita McLarin and Dr. Jei Africa, the director of behavioral health and recovery services, to merge our board with the Mental Health Board.

As vice chair of the Alcohol and Other Drug committee, I can say we value and support the diligent efforts of Health and Human Services to deliver assistance to the most underserved populations of Marin. Our board is appointed by and responsible to the Marin supervisors. We are charged with representing the whole Marin community's alcohol and drug program needs, services, facilities and special programs. Our bylaws do not limit us to advising the department regarding services.

Our commission members represent the whole community and not the exclusive point of view of a particular group or special interest. The guiding principle of any citizen board is to make recommendations addressing the overall public benefit. While Marin County has repeatedly achieved “healthiest county in California” accolades, it simultaneously remains the highest county for accidental deaths due to substance overdose and highest in deaths involving drivers impaired by drugs and alcohol. It is one of the highest for children between seventh and 11th grades reporting frequent use of alcohol, binge drinking and abuse of other substances.

These facts directly contradict the benefits of merging our boards. The prevalence of disease and death stemming from substance misuse across all demographics in Marin requires a separate citizen board dedicated to finding and recommending solutions across the entire Marin community.

— John Dillon Riley, Novato