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Cloquet Indivisible holds Public Health Panel

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Cloquet Residents Gathered for a Public Health Panel Hosted by Indivisible

On Tuesday evening, a packed crowd filled the Cloquet Community Center for an event that drew community leaders, health professionals, and concerned citizens alike: a public‑health panel organized by the local chapter of the national grassroots organization Indivisible. The evening, part of Indivisible’s broader effort to encourage civic engagement and voter participation, focused on the pressing health issues facing the city—from COVID‑19 vaccination uptake and mental‑health resources to the ongoing opioid crisis.

A Call to Action from Indivisible

Indivisible’s mission is simple: empower people to vote for policies that reflect their values and to hold elected officials accountable. In Cloquet, the organization’s local chapter has taken the initiative to host a series of public forums that tackle everyday concerns. “We want people to feel that their voice matters, whether it’s in the voting booth or in a community meeting,” said Indivisible co‑founder and local activist Sarah Johnson, who opened the evening with a brief address. “Health is a public good, and our policies must protect it.”

Panelists Bring a Wide Range of Perspectives

The panel consisted of five members, each offering a distinct viewpoint on the city’s health challenges:

1. Dr. Marcus Allen, Cloquet Public Health Director – Dr. Allen presented the latest data on the city’s COVID‑19 status, highlighting that as of the week of the panel, the city’s vaccination rate stood at 73 percent for the adult population, with a notable drop among the 18‑24 age group. He also outlined the public health department’s plans to expand mobile vaccination clinics in underserved neighborhoods.

2. Rhea Patel, Director of Mental Health Services at St. Catherine’s Hospital – Patel spoke about the rise in mental‑health emergencies, citing a 28 percent increase in crisis hotline calls over the past year. She emphasized the need for increased funding for outpatient therapy programs and community‑based support groups.

3. Father Michael O’Connor, Cloquet Community Pastor – Father O’Connor shared the faith‑based community’s role in addressing the opioid epidemic. He described outreach programs that provide clean needles, naloxone kits, and referrals to rehabilitation centers, underscoring the moral imperative to support those battling addiction.

4. Councilman James Delgado, City Council Representative – Delgado offered insights into potential legislative measures, such as a municipal ordinance to increase penalties for drug trafficking and the allocation of a portion of the city budget toward substance‑use disorder treatment.

5. Jenna Kim, Local Business Owner and Indivisible Member – Kim represented the grassroots angle, voicing the concerns of small business owners who face financial hardships due to the pandemic. She advocated for stronger economic support packages and the preservation of essential health services.

Key Themes of the Discussion

The panel covered a range of topics, but a few issues emerged as focal points:

• COVID‑19 Vaccination and Booster Drives – Dr. Allen emphasized that while initial vaccination rates were relatively high, booster uptake lagged. He explained that the public health department will host a “Booster Bus” that visits various neighborhoods in the coming weeks, offering free boosters and testing.

• Mental Health Accessibility – Rhea Patel called for increased investment in mental‑health services. She highlighted that the state has recently earmarked $1.2 million for mental‑health facilities, but local implementation remains slow. Patel proposed a partnership between the public health department and community colleges to train mental‑health counselors.

• Opioid Crisis Response – Father O’Connor and Councilman Delgado stressed the need for a multi‑layered approach, including better access to medication‑assisted treatment (MAT), increased availability of naloxone, and public education campaigns. The panel noted that Cloquet has seen 95 overdose deaths in the last five years, a figure that remains alarmingly high for a city of 12,000 residents.

• Economic and Social Determinants of Health – Jenna Kim reminded attendees that the pandemic has exposed systemic inequalities. She urged the city to create a “Health Equity Fund” dedicated to addressing social determinants such as housing, food insecurity, and transportation.

Audience Participation and Q&A

After the presentations, the floor opened for a lively question‑and‑answer session. Attendees asked about the feasibility of a city‑wide naloxone distribution program, how to incentivize businesses to offer mental‑health benefits to employees, and whether the local school district could incorporate health‑education modules into the curriculum. Panelists responded candidly, with Dr. Allen promising a forthcoming policy brief on the school‑based health initiatives, and Councilman Delgado announcing a committee to evaluate the feasibility of a municipal health equity budget.

Follow‑Up Actions and Resources

The panel concluded with a concrete plan of action:

• Public Health Department will release a “COVID‑19 Vaccination Update” on its website, detailing the upcoming Booster Bus schedule and local testing sites. Visitors can find more information at the city’s public health portal, which was linked during the panel: https://www.cloquetmn.gov/health.

• Mental‑Health Services will collaborate with St. Catherine’s Hospital to launch a free counseling hotline, operational from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hotline number is listed on the hospital’s mental‑health page: https://www.stcatherineshospital.org/mental-health.

• Opioid Response: A joint task force, including representatives from the public health department, St. Catherine’s Hospital, the Cloquet Police Department, and the local faith‑based coalition, will convene monthly to track progress on naloxone distribution and MAT access. The task force will publish quarterly reports, which will be available on the city’s official website.

• Economic Support: The city council will schedule a town‑hall meeting to discuss the Health Equity Fund and how small businesses can qualify for funding. Updates will be posted on the council’s website: https://www.cloquetmn.gov/council.

A Community‑Driven Vision for Health

The evening ended on an upbeat note, as attendees shared personal stories of resilience and hope. Sarah Johnson closed by reminding everyone that civic engagement extends beyond the ballot box. “When we come together to talk, to listen, and to plan, we create a healthier community,” she said.

The Indivisible‑hosted panel not only shed light on Cloquet’s current health challenges but also laid out a roadmap for collaborative action. By combining the expertise of public officials, health professionals, faith leaders, and ordinary citizens, the city’s residents can work toward a future where public health is a shared responsibility and a community priority.