'San Diego’s Most Wanted' Taps ME’s Office Expertise

Fox 5 reporter Lynn Stuart interviews Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Jon Lucas for the show "San Diego's Most Wanted."

Prescription drug abuse is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. and San Diego County, even surpassing the number of motor vehicle fatalities. Who sees this trend first-hand? For one, the County’s Medical Examiner’s Office; and reporter Lynn Stuart from Fox 5’s San Diego’s Most Wanted interviewed our Dr. Jonathan Lucas to get his take on why the numbers have grown. In the last ten years, he’s seen the number of prescription drug-related deaths nearly double.  

The Medical Examiner’s Office investigates thousands of unnatural deaths a year whether they were caused by homicides, suicides, accidents, or the sudden unexpected deaths of people who were not recently under a doctor’s care.

Dr. Lucas is the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, the second-in-command at the department. Part of his job involves tracking trends. The growing problem with prescription drug abuse prompted the Medical Examiner’s Office, the Sheriff’s Department and Health & Human Services Agency to work together to educate the community about the problem and how to prevent it from getting worse.  

Most cases involve people in their 40’s and 50’s who suffer from chronic pain and become addicted to pain medication, but he also sees young people who have died from abusing prescription drugs. “One of the big problems among young people is access,” said Lucas. “The common way for them to get these drugs is from the medicine cabinet at home.” They may find leftover Oxycontin pills and in time become addicted. When they can’t afford it anymore, they switch to heroin and die from it.

Stuart says San Diego’s Most Wanted appeals to a younger audience and the segment on prescription drug abuse deaths may hit home. The program is scheduled to air on Fox 5 Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and repeat the following day at 11 p.m.   

Love is in the Air

Valentine's Day may mean mushy cards, flowers and boxes of chocolates to you, but to some County workers it means weddings - and lots of them!

The Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s (ARCC) Office is gearing up for one of its busiest wedding days of the year. More than 100 couples are expected to get marriage licenses and recite their vows at the County Administration Center or a branch office in San Marcos and El Cajon. In preparation for this big event, ARCC recruited volunteers and reassigned staff members to act as deputy marriage commissioners to make sure all the bridal couples who come in can tie the knot.

While appointments at three offices are filling up fast, the downtown office at the CAC is taking walk-ins as well. That means if five couples walk in just before closing time at 5 p.m., staff will make sure the bride and groom get the wedding they will always remember.

Sometimes, it’s the deputy marriage commissioners who remember the special day. A few years ago on Valentine’s Day, one enterprising gentleman asked his girlfriend to meet him in Room 273 at the CAC. She agreed. Little did she know she had entered what insiders call the ‘Marriage Room.”  She walked in and he popped the question. “He went out on a limb and she said yes,” said Sandra Banaga, ARCC Assistant Division Chief. “They got married right then.”

Banaga will tell you her staff members have seen it all. Some weddings are big family affairs; others are just a party of four, marriage commissioner, witness, bride and groom. Some couples go all out in the traditional formal dresses and tuxedos, or they show up in shorts and t-shirts. No matter, it’s all about the time honored tradition of saying “I do.” And County staff members can’t help but get caught up in the excitement of the special day too. How many other people spend their day at work saying “I now pronounce you husband and wife?”             

Pet of the Week: Patches and Lily

Welcome to Pet of the Week. Our County's three shelters in Carlsbad, San Diego and Bonita are always a great source for employees or people you know to find a new furry family member. Each week on Insite, we plan to highlight one of the many pets the Department of Animal Services has available for adoption. These pets will also be featured on the County News Center, so if you see a Pet of the Week you think would be perfect for a friend or family member who doesn't work for County, you can send the potential adopter to the County News Center.

Wouldn't you know it, the first Pet of the Week is actually two animals. 

Patches and Lily are a bonded pair of guinea pigs that have lived together their entire lives.

Now the 2-year-old friends would like to be adopted together into a new home. They both love tangerines and like to be petted and brushed. They’re used to living indoors with people and are both litter box trained. Patches, ID number A1451628, and Lily, A1451628, are currently available at the County Animal Services shelter in San Diego, 5480 Gaines St. The adoption fee is only $10 for both animals; please bring their ID numbers for reference when you visit. For more information and shelter hours visit the Department of Animal Services online.

Making All The Difference…

Laurie Johnson (center) received her award from Chairman Ron Roberts and Child Welfare Services Director Debra Zanders-Willis.

A volunteer who gives her time, friendship and advice mentoring a foster child is the proud winner of the County Volunteer of the Month award. Chairman Ron Roberts presented the award to Laurie Johnson during the Tuesday Board of Supervisors meeting.

She has been a volunteer for Health and Human Services Agency Foster Youth Mentor Program since December 2008. More than 450 volunteers take part in the program. Johnson was nominated because of her selfless commitment in giving her support, counsel and unconditional friendship to one child.

“Laurie offers a future with hope, aspirations and optimism,” said Chairman Ron Roberts. “She has truly made a difference in the life of this youth.”

As a volunteer, Johnson works with teachers, group home staff, a mentor liaison, the Court Appointed Special Advocate and social workers if they’re needed.  While thanking the Board for the honor, Johnson said she couldn’t have done her part as a volunteer without the support she received. She recommends the program to anyone, saying the time spent is well worth it. “I’ve grown close to my mentee and look forward to seeing how she grows into a young woman,” said Johnson. “I’m hopeful I am making a difference in her life.”

During the last year, the volunteers in the Foster Youth Mentor Program have donated more than 11,000 hours of their time, a benefit worth over $247,000 to San Diego County.

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Alex Smith’s County Connection

Pam Smith and Alex in Washington D.C. last year after a meeting with the Speaker of the House to talk about the needs of foster youth.

If you’re a football fan who’s been dedicated to a particular team year in, year out, you know about the heady highs and the depressing lows.

Now, imagine the intensity of being wrapped up in every season, every game, every play, not just for fun and from habit, but because the starting quarterback is your son.

Some of you may know, Pam Smith, our County’s HHSA East and North Central Regions head and Aging and Independence Services director, is mother of Alex Smith, the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback who helped take his team within a game of the Super Bowl this year.

Alex Smith’s  fraught career—from number one draft pick in 2005, to six straight disappointing seasons with numerous injuries with the 49ers, to his career redefining season this year—and his likability and persistence have drawn a lot of media attention lately. He was featured in the Sports Illustrated cover story earlier this month.

“They see it as a story of perseverance,” said Pam Smith. “...that patience and hard work can pay off.”

Smith said the 49ers loss to the New York Giants Sunday after their wildly exciting victory over the favored New Orleans Saints the weekend before—with Alex playing a central role—was the kind of heart-rending drama she’s learned to handle as she’s supported her son through his career's struggles.

Working under three coaches, a different offensive coordinator every year, and sitting out the entire 2008 season due to a shoulder injury, until this year, Alex Smith’s talents, persistence and opportunity had never quite jelled.

“It’s been a long, hard road, I tell you,” Pam Smith said.

Smith and her husband Doug have attended every one of Alex’s NFL games, and Alex’s three siblings and large extended family go to as many as they can.

“We’ve been the first faces he’s seen after some of the worst games,” Smith said. “Sometimes you search for words, but it’s always about helping him get through it in a positive way.”

Despite its disappointing end Sunday, Smith said 2011 was a, “very, very exciting season.”

It almost didn’t happen.  Alex was a free agent after the end of the 2010 season, and his family had urged him to leave San Francisco. But a new coach, Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback himself, liked what he saw in Alex.  Encouraged by the new leader and guided by loyalty to the 49ers and his longstanding aim to play his best in San Francisco, Alex signed a one-year contract with the team.

At Candlestick Park Sunday, the national anthem was interrupted by the wild cheering when the camera turned on Alex Smith. It was a marked contrast to 2010, when during one low point in a game, home fans had booed Smith and called for the backup quarterback to take the field.

“When they like you, it’s out of proportion, and when they don’t like you, it’s out of proportion,” said Pam Smith.

That’s why it’s been important to keep fan reaction and everything about an NFL career in perspective, Pam Smith said. Alex has a knack for this.

“He’s down to earth, he’s humble, he’s the nicest guy you’ll ever meet; he’s not any different now than he was when he started playing,” Smith said. “He feels he’s lucky to do something he loves; lucky for the opportunity.”

In the past couple years, getting married and having his first child, a boy, have also been sources of joy for Alex, 27.

Also helping Alex keep a healthy perspective has been his work with the Alex Smith Foundation, whose mission is to support transitional age foster youth. Alex founded the organization at the outset of his NFL career, and the work has been a  positive constant throughout football’s ups and downs.

“Through all these bad years, his foundation has done a tremendous amount of work and good,” Smith said.

In one of the foundation’s programs,  foster teens get to take a special course at SDSU, so they can experience college and envision themselves there. And the foundation’s Guardian Scholars Program at SDSU supports former foster youth to help them earn a degree. Fewer than 2 percent of former foster youth who enter college graduate, Pam Smith said. Alex’s scholars so far have achieved a 75 percent graduation rate.

Alex first became interested in supporting foster youth after attending a San Pasqual Academy football game shortly after being drafted into the NFL. San Pasqual Academy is the County’s unique residential high school for foster youth near Escondido.

“He just linked with those kids,” Pam Smith said. “Here he was 20, and he was facing the daunting task of going into the NFL number  one, and he had a lot of family and support to help him.”

“These people were 17, 18, and frankly, he couldn’t imagine it...starting life at that age with no family support.”

Alex Smith’s connection to the County means it’s not just his mother who’s invested in his career. HHSA employees have also been rooting for him, and they’ve been happy for Alex and Pam Smith this year, said Denise Nelesen, Communications Manager for Aging and Independence Services.

“It’s like he finally gets some just deserts for all his work and his effort...you can hear people talking about it up and down the hall.”

It’s not just their vicarious proximity to an NFL celebrity that keeps employees interested, according to Nelesen.

“Because everyone cares about Pam, and she’s always so  good with everyone, it’s exciting to see something good happening with her and her family.”

Nelesen said she has worked with Pam Smith for 12 years and followed Alex’s progress since he was a champion quarterback and top scholar at Helix High School.

Interestingly,  many of  the successful traits Pam Smith ascribes to her son, Nelesen also sees in Pam.

“One of her strengths is positivity. She’s always looking at what can be learned from a tough situation,” Nelesen says.  “She espouses the futility of pointing a finger of blame for any failure, but rather aims all eyes toward what we can do better.”  

  Left to right, Alex's brother Josh Smith and Josh's wife Patty, father Doug Smith, Jay Leno, Alex, Pam, and Abbey, Alex's sister

Video Slideshow: Our Department of Parks and Recreation

With more than 45,000 acres of land, 34 local parks, 24 open space preserves, 15 sports facilities, eight campgrounds, seven regional parks, five community centers, and more than 200 programs for children and adults, it’s hard to capture in words everything County Parks and Recreation does. But the pictures in this video slideshow the department has put together helps tell their great story!

Child Support Employees Win Proof They’re Making a Difference

Marie Girulat (left), Chief Deputy Director, San Diego DCSS receives the Top Performing Counties award from Kathleen Hrepich, Interim Director, California DCSS.

At work, all of us have good days and bad days, but in the end do we know whether our efforts are making changes in people's lives? Child Support Services employees do and the proof came yet again in an awards ceremony last week.

For the third time in the past four years, California honored the San Diego County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) as one of the state’s Top Performing counties.

DCSS ranked highest for outstanding performance on five federal performance measures and dollars given to families. During Federal Fiscal Year 2010-11, the County distributed $177.8 million in child support payments, an all-time high for San Diego. The department manages nearly 90,000 active child support cases.

DCSS is in the category of Very Large Counties and also won the most improved in overall performance.

“These awards are indicative of the great work by our staff to serve the families and children in our region. I am so proud of them,” said DCSS Director Jeff Grissom. “To be acknowledged as the Top Performing Very Large County in California validates the fact that our employees’ efforts do make a difference.”

The California Department of Child Support Services presented honorees with framed certificates and letters of commendation during an awards ceremony in Sacramento last Wednesday. The California agency along with 51 local child support agencies operate the nation’s largest child support program and distributed more than $2.2 billion last year.          

Friendly Competition Fosters Community

Would you believe a utility closet is the hottest place to be seen at the Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Services offices on Camino del Rio South?

Every Monday morning a steady stream of employees makes the journey to the closet with one goal in mind – seeing shrinking numbers on a scale placed there to measure progress in their third annual Biggest Loser competition.

“That’s our super-secret hiding place – a utility closet,” said Sabrena Marshall, one of the coordinators of the contest.

Participants are on teams, and report their weight loss to Jack Haydock, who tallies the team totals for the week and provides an update. Weight loss is reported in the percentage of body weight lost for both the individual and the team.

It’s the third year in a row for the “Biggest Loser” competition. This year’s weight loss challenge even comes with an added twist – the opportunity to join a walking club whose goal is to collectively walk to New York City.

“We have a lot of new staff this year and a lot of the same people,” said Marshall. “It’s an on-going journey for some of us.”

The competition is friendly, but they do contribute an entry fee and the winner – or loser in this case – walks away with a cash prize, as does the second place finisher. There is also a Miss Congeniality-type prize this year, voted on by participants, to honor the co-worker who offers the most support and encouragement to the group.

“It really fosters a sense of community,” said Samantha Lea, who is coordinating the walking activities. “It has given everyone a great opportunity to meet other people.”

Steve Jones was the organizer of the inaugural contest and is still involved. “I’m the nagger and cheerleader.”

There have been more than 100 participants in the three-year history of the contest and this year they should easily break the 1,000-pound weight loss mark. In 2010, they collectively lost 548 pounds and the 2011 version netted a total of 317 pounds lost.

The walk to New York City was inspired by the County’s 10-year Live Well, San Diego! initiative. It’s actually separate from the Biggest Loser competition, but many people are doing both.

“We wanted to start the walk separate so others could join, but we specifically targeted the Biggest Loser group,” said Marshall. “We have more than 45 walkers so far.”

County Employee and Family Almost Win it All

 

The Grudmans wore sports-themed costumes to an October taping of "Let's Make a Deal, Family Edition." They were the first family picked from the audience and are pictured here taking the stage.

Rich Grudman, an IT program manager with Purchasing and Contracting, had always wanted to go on a TV game show— just one of those things he wanted to experience once in his life. It would be a silly story to tell, a novelty, and, who knows, he might just win big.

And then when he wasn’t even thinking about it, it happened. His wife Tina surprised him in October with tickets to first ever family edition of the classic show Let’s Make a Deal.

It wasn’t exactly the game he’d seen himself on, but the decision was made.

“I was thinking ‘The Price is Right,’ but she was like, ‘It’s family day, we’re going,’” Grudman said.

Family day turned out be perfect, because it meant Tina and Rich could take their kids, Alex, 10, and Maya, 8. Children aren’t normally allowed on game shows, you’ve probably noticed.

They needed themed costumes—that’s part of the show’s wacky energy. So Rich was a referee; Tina, a coach; Maya, a cheerleader, and Alex, a football player.

“They were easy,” Grudman explained of the costumes, because Maya and Alex already had the outfits.

They drove to Los Angeles and queued with the rest of the studio audience. Like everyone in line, the Grudmans had a screening interview with producers who were picking contestants. No one knew ahead of time who would be called to stage to play. Only a handful people in the audience are picked each episode.

So when host Wayne Brady called the Grudmans as the show’s very first contestants of the day, they were insensible with excitement. They bounded to the stage, screaming and pumping their fists.

How did they get picked?

“I think it’s because my daughter was so stinking cute,” Rich said.

Now Rich, his pharmacy technician spouse and his lively children are a bright bunch, but Let’s Make a Deal is decidedly not a game of strategy or knowledge. You chose a box or an envelope or a door without knowing what’s inside. You’re tempted with chances to trade your known prize for the possibility of something grander.

In the first round, the Grudmans freaked out with enthusiasm when their blind choice netted them, it was revealed, a large screen TV and an Xbox.

Alex, particularly, looked thrilled.

But that wasn’t the end of it. At the end of the show, the contestants who have won the most are offered a chance to trade their prize for a chance at a really big prize, The first and second place winners, with a car and a $20,000 vacation package, declined. But the Grudmans, with the third most valuable prize, were game. After all, behind either Door Number One, Door Number Two or Door Number Three was a $28,000 automobile.

Not that Alex was happy to give up that Xbox...

This last segment turned out to be a feat of editing. If you caught the show when it aired Dec. 21, you didn’t see the family’s painful confusion and disappointment at what happened next.

The Grudmans picked Door Number 2.  In the show’s tension-building convention, the other doors opened first. Door Number One slid away to reveal a family trip to Orlando. Rich said he felt slight pang...that would have been a good prize for the family. But, then again, they were still in the contest for the car.

Then, Door Number Three slid open. BICYCLES! That meant the car had to be behind Door  Number Two, the door they had picked!

“What really happened is we thought we won the big deal of the day. We couldn’t see the car was hidden behind the bicycles,” Rich said.  “We started screaming like maniacs.”

The Grudmans had not won the car at all, so their over-the-top reaction had to be chopped from the show’s final version.

“They did a fantastic job editing it,” Rich said.

Still mentally readjusting to the idea that they hadn’t won the car, Rich said he couldn’t help being disappointed when the $3,000 cash prize behind Door Number Two was revealed.  Oh, and a year’s supply of cookies.

“It’s quite funny we won a year’s supply of cookies; it makes the story that much more ridiculous,” Rich said.

 (Though Alex wasn’t too consoled by the absurdity, or the sweets. His parents later bought him an Xbox.)

It’s unclear when the cash and treats are coming or what quantity constitutes a “year’s supply” of WhoNus, which are like Oreos but infused with nutrients.

“I’m hoping the cookies show up as a crate at my door so I can bring some in to share,” Rich said.

Health Resolve Still Strong after Resolution Run

County Human Services Specialists training for a 10K (left to right) Eloisa Vitela, Lorena Ugarte, Lily Yakubik, Gloria Cordova, Patricia Laffiton, Taylor McDonald, Debora Arellanes

One County employee trains for triathlons.

A group of his co-workers just finished walking their first 5Ks.

Despite their different fitness levels, a group of Human Services Specialists at the County’s ACCESS center in Mission Valley have found a common way to help each other be healthier.

Their approach is to register for the same organized walks and runs, but then train at their own pace, setting personal goals.  

The informal fitness group coalesced after Human Services Specialist Taylor McDonald posted a flyer for the Jan. 8 “Resolution Run” 5K and 15K runs through Mission Bay Park. McDonald, 34, has been running since about 2008 and also competes in  triathlons.

When he posted the flyer in the office, McDonald was already signed up for the 15K run—9.3 miles. But he encouraged co-workers to give the shorter race a try, either running or walking.

About nine other employees got into the idea and registered for the 5K, all of them completing the 3.3 mile, Sunday morning course.

“There are some people who don’t walk much at all; for them to get out there and do a 5K was huge,” McDonald said. “To see them walk around with their race T-shirts on was pretty inspiring.”

Next up: A St. Patrick’s Day 10K around Mission Bay. The signup sheet is posted in the office.

Patricia Laffiton, for one, is getting ready. Laffiton, like McDonald, helps ACCESS phone customers in the Mission Valley office.

About four months ago, Laffiton said she was diagnosed with diabetes and she knew she had to make some changes.

“Exercise was something I just wasn’t doing,” the 36-year-old said.

In her three years with the County, Laffiton said had become accustomed to spending her lunch hour at her desk. After her diagnosis, she started walking, building up to about 2.5 miles along the San Diego River, several days a week.

Her co-worker and walking partner Yenissa Salgado has been a  mentor and a positive inspiration, Laffiton said. Salgado has helped her to stick with the routine and pick up her pace.

Laffiton said her supervisor, Gloria Cordova, has also supported her.

Her husband and kids have been encouraging at home and helped her to keep walking on weekends too. 

Laffiton said the 5K Resolution Run represented a new distance goal. She finished, even running some of the race, and now she’s gearing up for the St. Patrick’s Day 10K. She’s aiming to  build up  her endurance and speed by then.

Regular walking for the first time in her life has already improved her blood pressure, and it definitely makes her feel better, Laffiton said. 

“When you’re doing it you may get a little hot and tired, but afterwards it feels really good,” she said.