Residents press commissioners on National Park Service land actions and urge opioid emergency declaration for ibogaine treatment

A long and at times heated public comment period at the May 26 Clallam County meeting highlighted two sustained community concerns: federal National Park Service outreach about a potential land acquisition program and calls for immediate county action on the opioid crisis, including use of experimental therapies.

Several residents questioned what, if anything, the county had agreed to regarding a National Park Service proposal described in public records and a work session. One commenter read from federal guidance and accused park staff of failing to complete required community engagement, saying the county should not supply a general letter of support until specific criteria were made clear. “I am in war with her,” the commenter said after a contentious prior exchange with the park superintendent; he framed the outreach as a threat that pressures landowners to become “willing sellers.” The board responded that it had not yet supported anything and that staff would continue to seek information.

Separately, multiple speakers urged the commissioners to treat the county’s overdose crisis as a local emergency to unlock federal pathways for promising—but still experimental—therapies such as ibogaine for treatment‑resistant addiction. One speaker asked the board to agendize an emergency declaration and immediate action: “I respectfully request that the board agendize this for immediate discussion and action to begin treating patients without further delay,” a resident said during forum comments, citing overdose‑death statistics and local programs that already exist.

Other commenters offered personal testimony about addiction and recovery, described program preferences (abstinence‑based care, Oxford House peer recovery homes), and pressed for better coordination across local health boards and providers. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the complexity of addiction treatment, repeatedly noting that no single strategy fits all cases and pointing to existing programs (community paramedics, hope‑based initiatives, clinic partnerships) while agreeing more coordination is needed.

Next steps: the board did not adopt an emergency opioid declaration during this meeting. Commissioners invited continued dialogue and suggested follow‑up with public‑health partners and the board of health to explore options and report back in future sessions.