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CITY OF BOGATA COMMUNITY RESOURCE INFORMATION
Texas Addiction Treatment Division:
Contact Us:
SUBMISSION DATE: 02 Mar, 2023
PHONE 855-489-3619
NAME Laura Williams
MESSAGE:
Dear Bogata city Government,
I am Laura and I am reaching out to you on behalf of the Division On Addictions https://www.addictiontreatmentdivision.org/drug-alcohol/texas/.
Division On Addictions is an organization that helps vulnerable Texas residents who are addicted to drugs or alcohol locate proper treatment options. Alcoholism and drug addiction are terrible crises affecting all ages in our communities - from teenagers to senior citizens.
Finding treatment facilities that are able to understand the underlying causes of the addiction, and that are able to cure an individual so as to prevent any relapse, is often a very hard task. This is where we come in. We help those in greatest need to find addiction treatment options that are the best for each individual situation. Our services are 100% free.
Thank you very much in advance. I look forward to hearing from you. With gratitude,
Laura.
Laura Williams
DIVISION ON ADDICTIONS
Nationwide listing of nearly 14,000 drug and alcohol rehabs across the U.S.
EMAIL laura@addictiontreatmentdivision.org
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FAKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS LACED WITH FENATYL
Updated: 04/13/2023
As a prosecutor with the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, I prosecuted cartel members responsible for shipping 30 metric tons of cocaine into the United States—in a single shipment, mind you. I often thought about concepts like supply and demand—who was doing this much cocaine?
I worked closely with federal agents from every agency. One day I was speaking with a 23-year veteran of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). I cynically told him that the cartel members were “just meeting our demand as a nation,” his sharp retort came quickly:
“It’s our youth I worry about, Andrew, or the first-time user getting hooked on it and ruining their lives, or even dying. And besides, do you know how much of that cocaine is laced with heroin? A lot of it. And heroin kills, period. The clock is ticking.”
That conversation took place before fentanyl became a household name in this country. Now, the cartels have stepped up their game. By mass producing fake look-alike pills containing fentanyl, they are tricking people into becoming addicted to an opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin. In fact, the DEA is pushing a Public Safety Alert as part of their One Pill Can Kill campaign, stating that 6 out of 10 fake pills seized by law enforcement in 2022 contained a lethal amount of fentanyl—an amount so small that it fits on the tip of a pencil.
These statistics are even more troubling when we consider that the DEA seized approximately sixty million—that’s 60,000,000—fake pills this past year. Just picture all the pills they were not able to seize.
Leading researchers are concerned about this latest trend spiraling out of control:
“An increase in illicit pills containing fentanyl points to a new and increasingly dangerous period in the United States,” said NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D. “Pills are often taken or snorted by people who are more naïve to drug use, and who have lower tolerances. When a pill is contaminated with fentanyl, as is now often the case, poisoning can easily occur.”
The DEA’s Public Safety Alert states, in part:
“The Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion are making fentanyl and pressing it into fake pills. Fake pills are made to look like OxyContin®, Xanax®, Adderall®, and other pharmaceuticals. These fake pills contain no legitimate medicine … Fentanyl is also made in a rainbow of colors, so it looks like candy.”
See: www.dea.gov/onepill for more information to protect you and your loved ones.
The pills come disguised as real medications—the type prescribed by our doctors. The likeness is so close that the fake pills are practically indistinguishable from the real prescription medications provided by physicians. The DEA has produced high-resolution pictures of the fake pills, side by side with the real ones so that people will have some idea of which are legitimate, and which contain deadly fentanyl.
In addition to fake opioid pills such as OxyContin, Percocet, and Vicodin, the fentanyl-laced fakes are also made to look like ADHD medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Some high school and college students get Adderall pills from friends or strangers, hoping to stay up later or stay more focused while cramming for exams or writing term papers. It should be noted that prescribed ADHD medication is rarely effective under these circumstances and does more harm than good.
Taking medication that isn’t prescribed for you by your physician is dangerous enough, akin to playing with fire. But knowing what we now know, taking fake look-alike pills laced with fentanyl, is akin to playing Russian Roulette. The cartels’ operations are so sophisticated that they can create nearly any fake look-alike medication they chose.
Cartels are creating pills that look almost identical to commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications, such as Xanax and Valium. And they’re easy to find—they’re actively being marketed and sold on social media platforms, places where our youth spend an abundance of time.
This attack on our citizenry is only going to get worse and will certainly add to the staggering 108,000 overdose deaths we have witnessed during just a 12-month period ending in 2022.
See: Drug Overdose Deaths Among Persons Aged 10–19 Years
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose of opioids, such as heroin, Fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. It comes in two easy-to-use forms—nasal spray and injectable—and does not require medical training. Many states are now providing NARCAN over the counter at pharmacies. If administered upon first seeing the signs of overdose (see examples below), it can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes. The medication itself is harmless, meaning if you suspect an overdose of opioids, administer it. If the person overdosed on the extremely potent opioid Fentanyl, two or more doses of NARCAN might have to be given.
For more information about NARCAN, or on obtaining NARCAN, please visit these websites:
If you or a loved one are at risk of unwittingly ingesting fentanyl, you must be familiar with the signs and symptoms of an overdose.
According to the DEA, Fentanyl use can cause:
If you or a loved one take pills and start to feel these symptoms, call 911 immediately. If you or someone nearby has NARCAN, administer the NARCAN immediately and call 911.
According to the DEA:
To learn more about the emojis used on social media, visit Emoji Drug Code Decoded at www.dea.gov/onepill.
Parenting can be difficult. We often compromise our loved ones’ safety because we want to be “their friends” or we wish to avoid “nagging” or starting an argument with our children. This is a mistake—the drug landscape has changed and taking action may be the difference between life and death.
*Parents and caregivers should consistently strive for the following:
*Adapted in part from the www.dea.gov/onepill
According to the DEA and a host of other experts, our country—particularly our youth—are at grave risk from illegal drugs coming across our borders. Steady vigilance is the only chance we have to protect ourselves and our loved ones from a life of addiction—or even death—the numbers in recent years tell a story that does not lie.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, it is imperative that you ask for help in the form of addiction treatment. People who have dedicated their lives to treating addiction can help you. The clock is indeed ticking, and every day that goes by without you taking action puts you squarely in the crosshairs of the greatest threat our nation has ever faced. There is hope. Ask for help.
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VENDOR AGREEMENT
COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
The purpose of the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (“CEAP”) funded from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (“LIHEAP”) grant is to maintain an
energy supply to heat and cool the residences of eligible low-income clients.
The Energy Services provider, (or “Vendor,”) agrees to honor the purpose of the CEAP grant and to accept pledges of payment from CEAP agencies only for certified customers to whom Vendor continues to provide energy services. The Energy Assistance Provider, (or “Agency”,) agrees to make payments only for eligible low-income clients.
This vendor agreement is by and between
Community Services of Northeast Texas, Inc.
Energy Assistance Provider (Agency)
And
City of Bogata, Texas
Vendor and Agency agree to assist customers in the following Texas counties: Bowie, Cass, Camp, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Rains, Red River, and Titus
This agreement shall be effective from the 1st day of August 2021 for a period not to exceed two years from the effective date. Either party may terminate this agreement by written notice. Such written notice of termination shall not affect any obligation by either party incurred prior to the receipt of such notice. Notice shall be sent via certified mail with return receipt requested.
City of Bogata
P.O. Box 400
128 N Main
Bogata, Texas 75417
secretary@cityofbogata.com
903-632-5315
Community Services of Northeast Texas, Inc.
304 East Houston
P.O. Box 427
Linden, Texas 75563
The Agency named above represents and warrants to Vendor that it is a subrecipient of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (“TDHCA”) and as such is authorized and has received funding from the TDHCA to provide bill payment assistance service for eligible low-income households.
The Vendor named above represents and warrants that it will apply any payments received from Agency to the account of the customer that the Agency has determined to be eligible under the CEAP guidelines and such is a “Certified Customer”.
Vendor will, with reference to a Certified Customer:
• Extend the CEAP applicant’s energy service for up to five business days while the Agency determines whether the CEAP applicant is eligible pursuant to the CEAP guidelines.
• Upon accepting pledge from Agency for Certified Customer, continue or restore energy service to Certified Customer with no increases in charges, service charges or other charges affecting the total cost of the bill, except as allowed by the stated tariff cost registered with the Public Utility Commission “PUC” and/or Texas Railroad Commission.
• In the event the full past due balance is not paid by the Agency, the Certified Customer must pay the remaining balance on or before the disconnect date stated in the customer’s Disconnect Notice required by PUC regulations in order to avoid disconnection or be eligible for reconnection. Nothing in this agreement requires the Vendor to reconnect the customer upon receipt of a pledge that does not cover the full past due balance or if the customer has already been disconnected by the time the pledge is received by the Vendor.
• Invoice the Certified Customer in accordance with Vendor’s normal billing practices.
• Upon verbal or written request from Agency, provide at no cost to the Agency the Certified Customer’s billing and usage history for previous twelve months, or available history plus monthly estimates if less than twelve months of billing history and usage is available. Vendor will transmit such billing history via electronic mail or facsimile as soon as possible, but no later than forty-eight hours following the request.
• Work with Agency and Certified Customer to explore the feasibility of offering flexible payment arrangements that may include, without limitation, waiving security deposits,
reconnect fees, application fees, and all other fees whenever possible.
• Not discriminate against Certified Customer in price or services, including the availability of deferred payment plans, level or average payment plans, discount, budget, advance payment or other credit plans.
• Not refuse to provide energy service or otherwise discriminate in the marketing and provision of energy service to any Certified Customer because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, lawful source of income, level of income, disability, financial status, location of customer in an economically distressed geographic area, or qualification for low-income or energy-efficiency services.
• Allow Agency forty-five days from the date of the pledge to forward payment to the vendor. Vendor agrees not to consider the portion of the Certified Customer’s account to be paid by the Agency delinquent if said payment is received within the above mentioned forty-five-day period and Vendor is provided with a verbal or signed pledge from the Agency within forty-five days of identifying a Certified Customer.
• Not interrupt service if Certified Customer is eligible under PUC regulations and enters into an agreement with the Vendor concerning how the Certified Customer will pay the balance owed Vendor and the Certified Customer is meeting the obligation under such agreement.
• If the Agency has paid for an initial deposit or similar refund instrument, upon the termination of service to the Certified Customer, the Vendor shall return funds including interest (after any balances owed) to the Agency in accordance with PUC regulations.
The Agency will:
• Obtain written permission for Agency to request and have access to customer information, including confidential or personal account information, credit and payment history, from customers seeking Agency’s assistance. Social Security numbers are not required for the CEAP program and may not be disclosed to Agency.
• Provide to Vendor, at Vendor’s request, customer’s written permission for Agency’s access to customer information as stated above.
• Not provide pledges on behalf of a Certified Customer to Vendor without having adequate funds to pay such pledge.
• Pay pledges within forty-five days of making pledge to Vendor.
• Determine if a customer is a Certified Customer within five days of contacting Vendor.
• Provide Vendor a list of names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of Agency staff designated to make pledges on behalf of the Agency and Certified Clients, if requested from Vendor.
The terms of any confidential transaction under this agreement or any other information exchanged by the Agency and Vendor relating to any transaction shall not be disclosed to any person not employed or retained by the Agency or Vendor, their affiliates, or brokers, except to the extent disclosure is 1) required by law; 2) necessary to disclose to the other party in connection with a dispute between the parties; 3) otherwise permitted by written consent of the other party; 4) required by guarantors to be disclosed; 5) information which must be disclosed to a third party to transmit energy; 6) to meet reliability council, regulatory, administrative, judicial, governmental, or regulated commodity exchange requirements where necessary; or 7) of information which was or is hereafter in the public domain (except by breach of this Agreement).
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Authorized Vendor Signature Date
Larry Hinsley ___________________________________________Mayor
Typed Name of Authorized Signature Title
903-632-5315______________________________________
Vendor (Area Code) Telephone Number
secretary@cityofbogata.com___________________________________
Vendor Email Address
__________________________________________________________________
Authorized Agency Signature Date
Dan Boyd, CCAP NCRT Executive Director
__________________________________________________________________
Typed Name of Authorized Signature Title
903-756-5596 ext # 200
__________________________________________________________________
Agency (Area Code) Telephone Number
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CITY OF BOGATA
2023 CALENDAR
(SUBJECT TO FREQUENT EDITS)
EDITED: 3/28/2023
January 2 – New Year’s Holiday – City Offices CLOSED
January 9 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
February 13 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
March 13 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
April 3 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
April 9 – EASTER SUNDAY
May 6 – City Elections and City-Wide Garage Sale
May – 8 - 9 City Wide Clean-up
May 15 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
May 29 – MEMORIAL DAY – City offices CLOSED.
June 5 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
June 22, 23, 24 - Bogata Rodeo
July 3 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
July 4 -INDEPENDENCE DAY – City offices CLOSED.
July 31 - Budget Workshop - 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
August 7 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
Aug 14 - Budget Workshop - 6:00 pm @ City Hall
Aug 21 – Budget Workshop – 6:00 pm @ City Hall
Aug 28 – Budget Workshop – 6:00 pm @ City Hall
September 4 – LABOR DAY – City offices CLOSED.
September 11 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
September 18 – Budget Workshop – 6:00 pm @ City Hall
September 25 – Public Hearing and Budget Adoption and filing 6:00 pm @ Com Center.
October 2 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
October 7 City-Wide Garage Sale
October 11 – 12 City-Wide Clean-up
November 6- City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center.
November 5 – DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS.
November 23 – Thanksgiving Holiday – City offices CLOSED.
December 4 - City Council Meeting 7:00 pm @ Community Center
December 25 – 26 – Christmas Holiday – City offices CLOSED.