News and Events
TV Coverage Tells The Story Of Plumas County’s Proactive Approach To The National Opioid Epidemic

August 24, 2017

http://www.kcra.com/article/this-california-county-has-more-painkiller-prescriptions-than-people/12021654

Eastern Plumas Health Care’s Dr. Wendy Flapan was featured in a recent KCRA spot on the opioid crisis and how our hospital is working to fight opioid addiction in our community. EPHC also featured in the August 23rd Plumas News editorial:

TV coverage tells the story of Plumas County’s proactive approach to the national opioid epidemic: The topic leant itself to a negative portrayal of Plumas County, but the exact opposite occurred. Last week KCRA, the NBC affiliate out of Sacramento, highlighted the opioid epidemic facing this country and featured Plumas County in one of its pieces.

“It would have been easy to tell the story — the incredibly high number of prescriptions and overdoses per population — against a backdrop of despair and rundown houses. But, that’s not how the story was told.

“KCRA focused on the proactive approach this county has taken to a national problem, interspersed with bucolic shots of local communities and the area’s natural beauty.

“James Wilson, representing the county’s Public Health Agency; Dave Keller, a school board member; and Dr. Wendy Flapan, who specializes in pain management through Eastern Plumas Health Care, spoke eloquently about local efforts to combat opioid addiction. Wilson is a leader in a three-county effort to address the issue, as well as spearheading the effort to make the antidote for an opioid overdose available in local schools. Keller and his fellow board members are addressing a plan to make the antidote available, and Flapan works with patients to find alternatives to drugs in conquering pain.

“The news piece highlighted the fact that Plumas County has been on the forefront of battling the epidemic, taking steps long before other jurisdictions became involved. Even though we would prefer not to have the notoriety associated with a drug problem, it’s good to know that our health care experts are addressing the issue, and it’s nice to be recognized in the North State for those efforts.”