Paul Ward, Golden K program chairman, introduces guest speaker Detective Lt. Derek Dixon, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department.

By JOAN JOUPPI

For The Daily News

IRON MOUNTAIN — The grass is green and the flowers are a profusion of blossoms with bright colors. The temperature has eased a bit making Monday morning a bright sunny day — perfect for the Golden K members to gather at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford.

A weekend downpour did not dampen the spirits of these seniors. They came full of happy conversations and stories to share.

Mary Jane Nelson began the meeting. Sue Le Duc, filling in for Alyce Derwinski on piano, got the music started. Then Jim Verrette, jumping in for Lois Outcelt, had the members singing with gusto. With fresh coffee and doughnuts tempting and tantalizing, the Golden K was under way.

Guests for the day were greeted with the welcome song. Derek Dixon, detective lieutenant for the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department, Larry Yarck and Clayton Davidson, brother-in-law to Henry London, GK member.

Don Pedo collected all the Happy Dollars which included happy for visiting families, smiling faces, sunshine and no rain in Baraga for their Pow-Wow. Congratulations to the Niagara American Legion Baseball team, Regional Champions — good luck in the state tournaments.

There is something to be said about becoming a member of the Golden K as this was the second time the 50/50 drawing was won by a new member. Feel free to join the GK any Monday morning — it could be your lucky day. Vance and Dorleen Uhazie were wished a Happy Anniversary, July 25. A thank you was received from the Caring House, one of the local charities Golden K supports yearly.

Paul Ward gave the thought for the day as follows “The biggest trouble maker you probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every morning.”

Ward, program chairman, introduced the speaker for the day, Derek Dixon, detective lieutenant with the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department. Lieutenant Dixon, with about 20 years of service has worked in many departments of law enforcement and has dealt with the public and their issues in every imaginable scenario. Working in today’s world of opioid abuse as it reaches an epidemic stage has become challenging for law enforcement on every level.

Drugs are very much a part of everyone’s life today. The media has stories daily of people — addictions and the problems that arise from drug abuse. From prescription drugs to larger more dangerous drugs the stories continue and the problem grows. Opioids have affected this country from one ocean to the other hitting every city in between. Iron Mountain has an enormous problem and all law enforcement personnel deal with the addicts and their problems every day.

The drugs themselves have been around for many years and have been in this area as well. As it happens with most things people deal with it starts out on a small scale and slowly grows out of proportion with the general public hardly noticing. Drug use has come and gone under many names. Each time, a “new” method of making a drug more potent, sometimes lethal, comes along. The addict is more than ready to try it. Throwing caution to the wind for the need to get “high.”

Opioids have found their way from China to Mexico to bigger cities in the U.S. to small communities that offer a very lucrative market. Manufacturers, dealers on the larger scale are recognizing large profits from addicts who cannot get off the drug or sometimes choose not to.

Fentenol is extremely dangerous. It offers a large profit for dealers because a minute amount is used. It becomes harmful, even fatal, as the user has no knowledge of the potency of the mixture.

Education becomes vital to parents, grandparents and small children. Programs to help young children from kindergarten up are being accessed to help them understand what drug abuse is and how it affects individuals. There are children being subjected to human trafficking practices by their own parents and yes, it happens here. An addict will do whatever it takes to satisfy the need.

Lieutenant Dixon cautions people to be aware of your surroundings. Used needles and other paraphernalia can be found in parks, near garbage receptacles along road sides, in wooded areas and walking trails. Do not pick any suspicious item up, even bottles that appear to have a liquid left in them could contain a potential dangerous mixture. Educate yourself, your family and your friends on the drug issues that are in our communities.

Lieutenant Dixon encourages anyone with questions or concerns about opioids, and other drug issues come to the sheriff’s office anytime, they will be glad to answer any questions or concerns you may have. This area has a KIND Drug Team working with Kingsford-Iron Mountain-Norway and Dickinson County — overseen by a governing board and able to fund some of their needs with forfeiture monies. As soon as they can block a drug route another opens up. They arrest a dealer, there is another one to step into the position. It is an ongoing problem for all citizens and growing.

The Golden Throats will not be singing at the local nursing homes for the entire month of August.

The July 31 Golden K meeting will have Gary Proudfit giving some background on the Re-Store.

All are welcome to any of these Monday morning meetings. Programs begin at 10:30 a.m. however coffee, doughnuts and visiting is open to all and usually begins at 10 a.m.