A HEART-FELT HAPPENING: MCAVHN EVENT THIS SUNDAY
One of Mendocino County's oldest and most beloved nonprofit organizations is- as they have for the past three decadescelebrating their hard work and inviting the public to join.
The MCAVHN Care and Prevention Network's 36th annual “Event of the Heart” takes place Saturday, February 3 at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center.
The event was conceived in MCAVHN'S early days, back when the organization worked tirelessly to provide services for those afflicted by AIDS and HIV. Since that time, MCAVHN has morphed into a full-circle service organization that has remained true to its grass-roots origins while expanding their focus to include a “whole-person,” harm-reduction-based approach to service provision.
Founded in 1987 as an all-volunteer organization, MCAVHN'S roots lie in the treatment and end-of-life services to those living and dying with AIDS. From there, it was a logical leap to create a syringe exchange service to address one of the root causes of HIV/AIDS. As more treatment options for HIV emerged, MCAVHN morphed with the times, homing in on the prevalence of HCV- Hepatitis C- in Mendocino County. Today, the organization's team helpw individuals with substance use treatment options and treatment for chronic illness. Additionally, MCAVHN provides Narcan the general public, offers educational programs for schools and other community organizations and is a leader in Medication Assisted Treatment; physician-supervised medical care for the treatment of opioid disorders.
The Event of the Heart has always been scheduled near Valentine's Day, and this year is no different. The event is MCAVHN'S major annual fundraiser. The elegant buffet dinner is being catered by Ellery Clark, with complimentary wine available. Appetizers include an artisan cheese and charcuterie platter, homemade meatballs and crab cake Dungeness with celery, fennel, lemon and crème fraiche. The buffet service includes a classic Caesar salad, rolls, roast chicken, BBQ Tri Tip, cheesetopped penne with vegetables in a marinara sauce, roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Dessert is a mixed berry cobbler with whipped cream and Thanksgiving Coffee. Music will be provided by the Back Porch Trio, and the event includes door prizes and a live and silent auction.
The celebratory event takes place under the somber backdrop of Mendocino County being number one in opioid deaths per capita in the State of California. The staff continues to be on the front lines of this epidemic, and despite their commitment, the need for more services can't be understated.
Joe Ditto is the Harm Reduction and Family Manager for MCAVHN. Even experts in the field like Joe are unsure about how Mendocino County became first in opioid deaths.
“In part, I think it's geographical. I also think that organizations from outside our county are bringing substances into our county. That's how it's been in Northern California,” says Ditto. Like the majority of his co-workers, Ditto has “lived experience” that makes him an ideal person to provide client outreach.
“We don't look like your average social workers. We're just like our clients. We've been through it, and we've come out on top,” says Ditto, a Mendocino County native. He doesn't see much change when it comes to stereotypes attached to unhoused people or those under the thrall of substance use disorders. “I don't see much growth around the stigmas.”
MCAVHN works with every person who comes to their doors.
“We take everyone,” says Ditto. “A lot of agencies talk about Harm Reduction, but they aren't doing the handson work we do. One consistent common denominator at MCAVHN has been that no matter what level of education we have, what we do have is our lived experience. Most of us have had direct experience being homeless, dealing with co-dependency or been addicted to substances. The primary difference between us and our clients is that we've learned to deal with these issues a little better.”
One of MCAVHN'S newer programs- the Medication Assistance Treatment Clinic, or MAT, is providing a second chance to those with substance use issues. Jessica Walker, HCV Clinic Coordinator works with inmates who are exiting jail and wish to remain sober. Dr. Barash uses medications in treating opioid use disorders, improving the health and wellbeing of clinic patients. “If we know an inmate's release date, we try to get them on Medicated Assistant Treatment with Dr. Ace. The intake happens over the phone in jail over a free phone line. When they're released, we try to get them in to see Ace as soon as possible,” says Walker, who adds they have helped inmates with alcohol, methamphetamine and opiate addictions.
The MAT Clinic is also available to the public.
“We have all sorts of people come in here, from the young to the elderly. Those who succeed with the program do very well,” Walker continues. “We don't pass judgement,” she stresses. “Some still use other substances while trying to get off the primary substance of concern for them. We work to treat all addictions.”
The MAT Clinic provides individuals with the opportunity to look inward. Whether they are self-medicating or not, they're getting a consistent dose of something that helps them take back control of their lives. We watch people come in and grab on to the reality that `this works for me.'” If a client has a “slip” and uses substances, one of the foundational principles of Harm Reduction is that you meet the person “where they're at,” without judgement.
“I believe that our Harm Reduction focus is MCAVHN'S strength,” says Ditto.
MCAVHN provides training and distribution of Narcan and Naloxone- 2 overthe-counter medications that can save a person's life in the event of an opioid overdose.
“We provide trainings and outreach about Narcan in the community and work with several other agencies like casino teams in the use of Narcan. We'll train you how to use Narcan right on the porch. Narcan is free to anyone who asks. Naloxone is an injectable medication which also helps people save lives. We're never going to get all individuals to stop using opioids, but we can provide the tools to keep them relatively safe,” says Ditto.
The provision of community education was an obvious next step for MCAVHN. They are providing outreach at middle and high schools all over Mendocino County.
“We are offering opioid and substance use programs from a harm-reduction perspective,” says Ditto. “Our message to youth: these substances are harmful. But if you do make a choice to use, them, this is what you need to know. We're trying to give the power to our youth rather than pretend this problem doesn't exist,” he continues. “In terms of breaking multi-generational curses with regard to substance use, I think we've been pretty successful.”
Misinformation seems to be the biggest problem staff see in youth populations.
“They don't understand a small amount of fentanyl will kill you. They don't have any tolerance to a drug like this. They are just excited about having a drug to do with their friends. So 3 get high, and only 2 come back. We also see a lot of parents are naïve about what's on the street. We stress the importance of knowing where substances are coming from, and not using them at all. We teach they have the power to say yes or no,” Ditto continues.
Ditto's son is the class president at Eagle Peak Middle School. “He knows fentanyl is out there. He's asked me why we haven't come to his school. My thought is why not provide him tools so he's aware what it is and what it does? I don't have an issue with kids having Narcan. Someone in their circle is doing fentanyl,” says Ditto. “This is why we feel prevention education is important. We're not telling you to get high or not get high. If someone overdoses, have Narcan. Know how to access emergency services.”
Ditto wants parents to become more aware of xylazine, or Tranq- its street name. The non-opioid medication is used as a sedative or a muscle relaxant in veterinary medicine, but is routinely being added to street drugs. The problem, says Ditto, is that there is nothing to reverse the effects of xylazine.
“I first heard about xylazine at a harm reduction convention in 2022. Within 6 months it was here. We're seeing it mixed with fentanyl and methamphetamine. The side effects include horrendous sores. You can inject it in your left arm, and they sores appear on your right leg. People are also smoking it. Xylazine really scares me.” One tool against xylazine is that staff can do urine testing to find out what drugs are in this area that people may not know about.
As one of the few agencies in the state providing “full circle services,” the only obstacle MCAVHN faces is funding. Their grant to help folks obtain housing has run its course, with no replacement funding on the horizon. Ditto has one concrete request: A van.
“When I came on board 2020, I noticed we weren't as mobile as a Harm Reduction team should be. We were printing out documents in the back of our personal vehicles. My wish is for a van or small RV so we can provide mobile outreach and services on the spot, wherever we are. As the only agency doing harm reduction in the 3,800 squaremile radius of Mendocino County, if you name the city or the street, we've been there. A mobile unit would be very helpful.”
“I've been asked if what MCAVHN does is enabling. What we're enabling is the reduction of disease. We don't care that you use substances,” Ditto notes. “We care that you live.”
The Event of the Heart's champagne reception begins at 5:30 PM. For tickets visit https://mcavhn.org or phone (650) 483-2997.