November 30, 2021
Gil Kerlikowske, the former Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection ( and former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy was our guest speaker and discussed the growing crisis of prescription and counterfeit drug addiction.
Lots of holiday activities and events coming up so be sure to read through your Keyway this week!
Chief Luther Reynolds via Zoom introduced Gil Kerlikowske. Gil and his wife Anna Lazio have retired to Charleston, where she is volunteering as a grants writer for the Charleston Police Department and Gil provides advice and strategy to the CPD. Gil’s presentation to our club focused on the opioid crisis.
Background: Gil Kerlikowske is a former Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (2014 – 2017) and former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (2009 –2014,) a department within the White House, which was created for Congress to have direct access to information related to drug control.
Kerlikowske graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa and the Executive Institute at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy. He served as Chief of Police in four cities and worked in the U.S. Justice Department. His longest term as a Chief of Police was between July 2001 and March 2009 in Seattle, Washington. In 2017, he was an IOP Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is a distinguished visiting fellow and professor of the Practice in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University.
Points made:
- Fentanyl has changed the drug scene.
- Drugs that are designed to look like another drug cause death by abusers.
- 18.4 million people in the USA have Substance Use Disorder.
- From April 2020 to April 2021 – The USA reached a 12-month high point in drug abuse deaths: 21 people per 100k overdose deaths Because of the focus on Covid, this issue has not been highlighted by media.
The abuse of pain killers in the US is a complex problem, Gil said. There is much finger pointing. The issue existed long before a national spotlight was shined on this abuse for several reasons:
- Opioid overdoses were first centered in Appalachia, among poor rural people whose plight is often hidden or uncovered by national media. OxyContin came to be called “hillbilly heroin.” (As in Hillbilly Elegy)
- Opioids are made in America. The drugs were not coming over the border. The drugs were FDA approved and subscribed by physicians.
- An accreditation study of the most significant problems hospitals are dealing with had identified “untreated pain,” which led to manufacturers looking for new pain drugs.
Add to these issues the short time physicians spend with a patient – 12 minutes — and pain prescriptions were being written quickly as a way to address the patient’s malady. Furthermore, false advertising as well as inadequate physician education around risks associated with opioids led well-intentioned doctors to believe that if a patient was truly in pain, he couldn’t become addicted.
Gil shared that one of his first decisions as Director of the Office of Drug Policy was to end the use of phrases like “war on drugs” and focus instead on collaboration with law enforcement. When he made this decision, White House bureaucrats were concerned the Obama administration would be accused of being soft on crime, but after a well-known journalist interviewed 6 Chicago area police chiefs who agreed with him, his decision prevailed.
Advances made in treatment of addicts have been made in recent years, Gil said, noting that lifesaving medications like narcan and naloxone are now available to emergency responders such as fire and police departments. Immediate administration of these drugs saves lives. Treatment and understanding of the substance abuse issue are longer term problems.
South Carolina will receive funding from the drug company settlement, Gil said. It is important that it be directed to treatment and prevention.
Regarding Charleston’s efforts to address opioid abuse, Gil praised local efforts by several judges to address drug issues in their courts. Specifically, he named Judge Irvin Condon and Judge Tamara Curry.
Q/A session
- Gil confirmed that access to illegal drugs is made easier by on-line distributors, which use youth-focused programs like TikTok.
- Member Mary Peters recommended reading Empire of Pain.
- Regarding the best treatment options, Gil responded that he is hopeful regarding medication assisted treatment, that there are three FDA approved treatments that work. This option is “not as popular in SC. People want you to find God or trade one addiction for another.”
- Mayor Tecklenburg thanked Gill for his service to the community, which has included leading a CPD team in a mock emergency planning session and providing collaborative and strategic connections to resources in large departments like those in NYC.
- Regarding what can be done at the grassroots level to talk about how addiction works, Gil responded that this should be done at the school level, using age-appropriate and grade-specific curriculum. “This needs to be on going and continuous. Parents are reluctant…bc they see drug education as an ‘introduction’ to drugs.” Gil called this “naive.”
by Phoenicia Miracle, Keyway Committee
Click here for a recording of last week’s meeting.
IN OTHER MEETING NEWS
- Stefany Ceccato gave the Invocation and led us in the pledge.
- Cleave Ham introduced our visiting Rotarians & guests.
- President Rob presented Health and Happiness.
- Chief Luther Reynolds introduced our guest speaker, Gil Kerlikowske, who is a former Director of DEA and Border Patrol.
MORE IN THIS WEEK’S KEYWAY
December 7, 2021 | Issue 5029 President: Rob Dewey
COMING EVENTS
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- Dec. 7 – Chloe Tonney, Trident United Way
- Dec. 14 – Holiday Luncheon @ Hall’s Chophouse on King
- Dec. 16 – Holiday Lunch for Seniors @ Ansonborough House
- Dec. 21 – NO MEETING – HAPPY HOLIDAYS
- Dec. 28 – NO MEETING – HAPPY HOLIDAYS
- Jan. 4 – Mayor John Tecklenburg
NEWS BRIEFS
Meetings to start promptly at 12:30 pm – IMPORTANT
President Rob will “ring the bell” for all upcoming meetings through December at promptly 12:30 pm. All members and their guests are asked to please arrive early, be seated and served lunch prior to 12:30 pm. Hall’s will be prepared to start serving your lunch as early as 12 noon.
RCCF Fall Grant Check Presentations
On behalf of our club and the RCCF Committee, Past President and current RCCF Chair Alex Dallis recognized three of our eight Fall RCCF Grant recipients.
Erika Plater, Executive Director and Emory Trouche, Development Coordinator, accepted the check on behalf of Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services. Our funds will assist with an upgrade of the water fountain at the Neighborhood House Soup Kitchen to a new model with a bottle refilling station attached. Karl Brady was the Rotarian sponsor for the grant.
Respite Care Charleston was represented by their Executive Director Sara Perry. Our funds will support the purchase of a laptop computer for use in the RCC day programs for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Laptops are used to prepare program material, display presentations, show song lyrics during sing-alongs, record program attendance and case notes and communication with caregivers, volunteers and community partners. Past President Alex Dallis sponsored this grant.
Captain Mike Michels, Executive Director and Jimmy Thomas, Volunteer Coordinator, attended on behalf of Salvation Army. Our funds will support the purchase and installation of a new stove hood for the kitchen of the Community Center building located in West Ashley. The Community Center is where programs such as Boys & Girls Club, After School Programs and preparations for their Hot Meal Program takes place. Denise Kaufman was the Rotarian sponsor for this grant.
We congratulate all grant recipients and appreciate all their organizations do to assist those in need in our community. We were able to grant 8 different organizations this grant cycle and will be recognizing our final organization on 12/7.
Rotary Extends Partnership with Charleston Police Department with $30,000 Grant to Fund Continued Leadership Training
The Rotary Club of Charleston presented an additional grant of $30,000 to the Charleston Police Department that will be used to support continued training in the department’s Leadership Development Institute (LDI). The LDI, launched last year with support from a $50,000 grant from Rotary, has as its focus on going personnel development to create a safe community, build strong partnerships and develop purposeful leaders in the police and fire departments
The latest donation will be used to expand the program to more CPD and CFD officers to ensure positive community engagement today and for the future.
The grant was funded by our volunteer program at last Spring’s PGA Championship that saw Rotarians volunteer to work the event’s concession stands. Spearheaded by past president and current Rotarian of the Year Digit Matheny, who also serves as liaison with CPD on the LDI program, the fundraiser was the largest in our club’s history raising more than $70,00 in total for RCCF.
Community Impact Award – CFD
The Historic Rotary Club of Charleston presented our second ‘Community Impact-Recognition Award’ of the year this past Tuesday. The recipient was Engineer Parker Shanks of the Charleston Fire Department. Parker is an integral part of the Fire Department’s operations, leading the newly-formed Medical Branch of the Operations Division. The majority of the emergency calls that the Fire Department responds to involve medical issues so the responsibility to ensure smooth operations is daunting. Parker is charged with monitoring medical certification levels of the department’s members, arranging for and/or providing continuing education for team members, and ensuring that Charleston Fire units are adequately stocked with medical supplies. In addition to those responsibilities, Parker also functions as a paramedic, is a marine captain, and is studying for his doctorate degree – all while being a newlywed.
The Community Impact-Recognition Award is presented by the club 4 times a year to a first responder making a difference in our community. The recipient is recognized at a luncheon and receives a ‘trophy’ and a gift card from a restaurant. The gift card for Parker was donated by the Crab House.
Our club also presents two awards at our annual end of the Rotary year meeting to 2 members of our club – Rookie of the Year and the Bill Hall Rotarian of the Year. Club members will be receiving information about nominations for these Awards in the Spring.
Our Club is delighted to honor Engineer Parker Shanks for his impact on our community. The next presentation will be in March.
International Grants Committee – Get Involved
It is that time of year for the International Committee to solicit grants from organizations working to make our world a better place. Our Club has a focus on organizations in developing countries and has previously funded grants in Kenya, Liberia, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Paraguay (to name a few) that work to solve a wide variety of issues facing those communities. Serving on the international grant committee is a great way to learn about impactful organizations around the world. You will also be able to see first-hand how our Charleston Rotary Club makes a difference throughout the globe. Please contact Joseph Tecklenburg, if you would like to help (and helping involves just a couple of meetings!) in this worthy endeavor.
Rotary Foundation year-end giving campaign now in progress
Matching Points Campaign will last until December 31, 2021. Gifts of $100 to $500 will be matched by the District (7770). If you would like to become an instant Paul Harris Fellow for $500, the district will match your donation. Please reach out to Karl Riner to participate or for more information.
You can also donate to Rotary’s efforts to end polio now: https://endpolio.org/donate.
Holiday Luncheon at Hall’s
We will return to Hall’s Chophouse for this year’s Holiday Luncheon. Mark your calendar now for this popular holiday event – Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 12:00noon (doors open at 11:30am). There will be a cash bar. We hope everyone will enjoy this fun, festive time and mingling with their fellow Rotarians. The Evite has been sent, so if you didn’t receive it and would like to attend, please let Carroll know. The deadline to RSVP is this Tuesday, December 7. No additional reservations will be accepted after this deadline. Rotarians are no charge. Spouse/Guest is $40 paid by cash or check at the door.
No Meeting on Dec. 21 or Dec. 28 – Happy Holidays
We will not meet on Tuesday, December 21 or Tuesday, December 28. We hope everyone has a happy holiday season and enjoys this special time with family and friends.
No cash? No problem. We now take Venmo!
Thanks to overwhelming demand by our younger, cash-fee members, the club will now accept Venmo payments. Venmo can be used to pay dues, meals for guests, contribute happy dollars and conduct other transactions which previously required cash, check or credit cards. Simply add @rotaryclubofcharleston as a payee on your Venmo account. Thanks Joseph Tecklenburg for helping us reach this incredible technology milestone!
Rob Dewey is now looking into how we can use Bitcoin to pay our dues.
Senior Holiday Giving
We are gearing up for our Annual Senior Gift Giving for the residents of the Ansonborough House. We are again very proud to have the opportunity to make sure all 80 residents of the Ansonborough House have a wonderful holiday. This year we will be hosting a luncheon for the seniors on 12/16 and giving each resident a holiday card with a Harris Teeter gift card inside. We need 8-10 volunteers to help with the card stuffing immediately following our Holiday Luncheon on 12/14 (1:30-2:30pm), as well as 8-10 volunteers to help host/serve the lunch from 12noon-3pm on 12/16. If you would like to help with this project, please reach out to Sandy Morckel at [email protected] or Denise Kaufman at [email protected].
Charleston 50: Year Two
Charleston50, a fundraising campaign launched by the Rotary Club of Charleston to fund community grants, has already reached 58% of its 2021-22 goal during the first 24 days of our fiscal year!
Begun last year when traditional events were canceled due to COVID, the project is continuing thanks to the overwhelming response by members who donate $500 annually to support deserving non-profits in our club’s service area.
The Rev. Rob Dewey, club president, said, “Charleston50 was a surprise success for us. After decades of supporting projects by selling tickets and sponsorships, we quickly learned that our members value the impact our club has in the community and the easy way they can give through Charleston50.”
Charleston50 members receive several visibility benefits including being listed on the club’s website and on a slide deck visible for 20 minutes before each meeting; a pin; a sticker; and an opportunity to briefly greet club members. Donations to Charleston50 are made through the non-profit arm of our club and are 100% tax-deductible.
Please download and complete the Pledge Form here, and return it via email to Phoenicia Miracle at [email protected].
Important – Face Masks Optional
At its meeting this past Tuesday, your Board re-evaluated our current mask policy. Due to the decline in COVID cases, face masks are now optional for all Rotarians and visitors, who are fully vaccinated. Those Rotarians and visitors, who are not yet vaccinated, are encouraged to continue to wear masks.
For the safety of our members and guests, we ask all members to please comply with the CDC guidelines and our protocols.
Change in Membership Status Deadline
If you plan a change in your club member status by January 1, 2022 to Excused, Leave of Absence, E-Member or if you are planning to resign, please notify Carroll in writing NO LATER THAN December 3, 2021. This change will affect January statement, which will be distributed in mid-December. All current members who officially resign after December 3 will be billed $52 to cover Rotary International dues, which are paid the first of each billing cycle. If you have any questions, contact Carroll.
Support The CART Fund
It is easy for club members to make individual contributions and support The CART Fund electronically. The CART Fund has a new portal www.mycartfund.org, which you can easily access. As a Rotarian and a DACdb user, you automatically have an account already set-up in your name. Your user name and password are the same as it is for the DACdb.
MEMBER NEWS
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with President-Elect Virginia Lee, Luther Reynolds and Amy Chico, who had surgery this past Thursday.
Congratulations to Past President Sandy Morckel for being named an Assistant Disrtict Governor for District 7770, beginning in July 2022. Thanks for your service. Sandy!
We are pleased to announce that Phoenicia Miracle, Amy Riley, Michael Smith and Robert Sullivan have all been elected to the 2022-2023 Board of Directors. On July 1, 2022, they will join President-Elect Virginia Lee, Stefany Ceccato, David Cohen, Cleave Ham, and Kelsey Willey on the Board. We had a strong slate of candidates and sincerely appreciate all candidates’ willingness and desire to serve our club. Congratulations to all!
Proposed New Members
The following membership candidates have submitted an application and signed letter of agreement to the Historic Rotary Club of Charleston:
Jane Horetsky – sponsor: Sandy Morckel; Non-Profit/Executive
Graham Kennedy – sponsor: Michael Smith; classification: Insurance/Life
Jay Gibson – sponsor: Michael Smith; classification: Accounting/CPA
In the event you know Jane, Graham or Jay, please tell a member of the Board how she/he will serve the ideas of Rotary.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Rotarian: Dan Moses
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- JOINED: 10/18/2021
- SPONSOR: David Burt
- MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT: New Member
- CLASSIFICATION: Construction
- PROFESSION: Department Manager / Vice President Mead & Hunt, Inc. – Engineering Consultants
- SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOURSELF
Dan has become an avid soccer fan through my youngest daughter playing from 5 years old through High School at Ashley Ridge. Present day, he follows Liverpool in the Premier League. He is an avid fan that has traveled to Liverpool, Manchester and London to seem them play. Dan’s wife and he love to travel to the United Kingdom and Ireland.
- JOINED: 10/18/2021
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Birthdays
- 12/9 – Heath Ward & Johnny Stuhr
WELLNESS TIP
Drink a glass of water after every alcoholic beverage
Nope, we’re not going to tell you to refrain from alcohol (though you certainly can if you want!). Drinking alcohol in moderation can be part of “healthy” lifestyle if done in a responsible manner. A glass of water after every alcoholic beverage helps to detoxify the alcohol from your body, as well as slow your alcohol consumption and keep you hydrated (a key factor in hangover prevention!).
AREA CLUB MEETINGS
Mondays
Summerville – Oakbrook: 7:30 a.m., Monday, Westcott County Club, 5000 Wescott Club Drive, North Charleston
North Charleston: 12:30 a.m., Monday, Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Blvd, North Charleston.
Summerville Evening: 5:30 p.m., Monday, Montreux Bar and Grill, 127 W. Richardson Ave., Summerville
Tuesdays
East Cooper Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Cooper River Room at Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant
Charleston: 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, Charleston
Goose Creek: 12:45 m. Tuesday, Gilligan’s, 219 St. James Ave., Goose Creek
Wednesdays
Daniel Island: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island
St. John’s Parish (John’s Island): 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, 2817 Maybank Highway, Unit 1, John’s Island
Mount Pleasant: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Harbor Breeze Restaurant, 176 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant
Summerville: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sticky Fingers, Summerville
Thursdays
North Charleston Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Embassy Suites, 5055 International Blvd., North Charleston
Moncks Corner: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Gilligan’s Restaurant, Moncks Corner
St. Andrews (West Ashley): 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Bessinger’s BBQ, 1602 Savannah Highway, Charleston.
Fridays
Charleston Breakfast: 7:30AM Hall’s Signature Events, 5 Faber, Charleston
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our Rotary club actively uses social media — and we encourage you to interact 
with us through social media.
We’re on Facebook. Take a look at our page and be sure to “like us”.
We’re on Twitter. You can follow us @chasrotaryclub.
We’re on Instagram. You can follow us @ChasRotaryClub.
ABOUT THE KEYWAY
The Keyway has been published weekly as a newsletter for the Rotary Club of Charleston for more than 90 years.
President: Rob Dewey
Keyway editor: Don Baus [email protected]
Executive secretary: Carroll Schweers, [email protected]
Mailing address: Rotary Club of Charleston, P.O. Box 21029, Charleston, SC 29413-1029
Copyright 2018, Rotary Club of Charleston. All rights reserved