Stet NewsGood morning, Stetters. For you today, an important conversation, child-centered work at Hanley, cupcakes around the clock and ways to welcome fall.
❤️🩹 Reversing the harm
Leaders in substance abuse treatment gathered last week to reflect on the failures of the war on crack cocaine and to lay a course to repair the damage to people still suffering in the system designed to punish them.
Driving the news: The conversation comes as the Palm Beach County Commission is poised to sign off next month on a plan to spend nearly $150 million in opioid settlement money over 20 years.
Why it matters: The contrast in the community’s response to the crack epidemic that erupted in the 1980s and the opioid epidemic of the 2010s is a painful fact. It created hardship and barriers that hurt former crack users to this day.
- In 2003, African Americans made up less than a third of the nation’s drug users yet were 80% of the people sentenced under harsh federal crack cocaine laws, according to a 2016 ACLU report.
- Black drug users were labeled as super predators or crackheads while mostly white opioid users are often viewed as victims of overprescribing doctors. In fact, both could be viewed as victims of an illness — addiction.
- A myth grew around children of crack users, who were labeled irredeemably damaged “crack babies.” A generation of Black children grew up with that stigma.
That brings us to Thursday’s conversation at the Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County in Delray Beach that explored: What if crack cocaine use had been treated as a public health hazard instead of a crime?
Keynote speaker Desmond Meade is a celebrated lawyer and advocate for returning citizens.
- He described the desperation he felt as a homeless crack user in Miami in August 2005.
- “I was waiting for a train so I could jump in front of it,” he said. “I was tired and I was ready to end my life.”
- But the train didn’t come. Meade checked into a substance abuse center and started a journey that led to his law degree. He was a driving force behind 2018’s Amendment 4, designed to restore voting rights to Floridians with felony convictions.
Keep reading to learn the speakers’ advice to repair the damage here.
— Carolyn DiPaolo
🚸 Hanley Foundation’s new focus: the kids
Children are often the first people affected by addiction and the last treated.
Why it matters: That concept is driving the Hanley Foundation to launch its first child-centered program for families rocked by drug or alcohol abuse.
Driving the news: Hanley is working with the National Association for Children of Addiction and author and speaker Jerry Moe on its new offering.
- Moe helped create the “Sesame Street” Muppet character Karli, whose family is dealing with addiction.
- He spent most of his career at the renowned Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California.
Last week, Moe spoke about the new program at Hanley Foundation’s West Palm Beach auditorium on 45th Street.
What he’s saying: “Children don’t make people they love use drugs, and, unfortunately, they can’t make them stop.”
Moe says the three-day session will help children identify safe people around them and guide them on self care for their body, mind, feelings and spirit amid family chaos.
The tools help children (and former children) prevail despite the fact that not everybody gets well from this disease.
- “Safe people can help you,” said Moe, whose speaking style evokes Fozzie Bear. “And it’s OK to be a kid.”
Hanley’s new program is designed for:
- Small groups of 7- to 12-year-olds.
- Children with a family history of addiction.
- Any qualified participant, regardless of ability to pay.
Traditionally, Alateen, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and individual counseling have been Hanley’s primary resources for young people.
What’s next: Dr. John Dyben, Hanley’s director of research and innovation, is fielding questions from potential group leaders and volunteers.
- Hanley plans to launch the kids program in November.
— Carolyn DiPaolo
🧁 Cupcakes 24/7
Ever have a craving for a fresh cupcake after dark, when bakeries have closed for the day? Or need a gluten-free birthday cupcake at the last minute — as in on the way to the party?
Nina’s Fresh Bakery to the rescue.
Why it’s meaningful: A 24/7 cupcake vending machine outside the bakery at 121 Center St. in Jupiter has become the savior for those sugar emergencies. It’s the only one in South Florida.
“We put it in in March,” owner Nina Tomasik said. “We didn’t know it was going to be so popular. It’s like a side gig.”
Unpacking: The refrigerated machine has 37 slots for boxes that can hold single, double and four full-sized cupcakes, as well as minis. There are four of each flavor, about 20 varieties, stocked at one time, she said. Popular flavors include coconut, lemon, cookies and cream and red velvet.
Takes 42 seconds: Specialty cupcakes, such as vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, also are on the menu that appears on the touchpad screen. Buyers choose by numbered photo, insert their credit card and 42 seconds later, a bakery-labeled box securely holding the cupcake appears in the delivery slot.
- Prices range from $5 to $20 depending on flavor and size.
What they’re saying: “When we started, we stocked it once a day. Now people have found out about it and we have to restock it at least twice, sometimes three times a day,” Tomasik said. “I’ve been here late at night to restock. People think I’m crazy, but we want to serve fresh cupcakes.”
It took three years to build and more details about South Florida’s lone cupcake vending machine here.
The spelling of Nina Tomasik’s last name was corrected after publication of this story.
— Jan Norris
🍊 The Juice
When Palm Beach County voters cast their ballots for president on Nov. 5, they’ll also be asked whether to approve a half-cent sales tax increase to benefit Palm Beach County’s public schools. (The Palm Beach Post $$$)
The Palm Beach County Taxpayer Action Board, a coalition of local business organizations, civic groups and self-appointed government watchdogs, put out its annual analysis of the county’s budget and tax rate. (Taxpayer Action Board)
Palm Beach County Circuit Judge’s Marnie Bryson’s nude photos case ends quietly after more than five years with a pre-trial settlement, but terms not disclosed. (Florida Bulldog)
Closed for 17 years, Palm House luxury hotel in Palm Beach to open soon, owner says. (Palm Beach Daily News)
🍁 561NSIDER: Three fall faves
The first day of autumn is Sunday. Celebrate in Palm Beach County with one of these favorite things to do.
1. Vintage sale returns
The Rust Market season 7 kick-off is 9 am to 2 pm Saturday in downtown Lake Park. This monthly market hosted by Kelsey Vintage Goods features vintage, antique and repurposed items, as well as handcrafted goods, artisan-made specialties and flea market treasures. Pet- and kid-friendly, the market offers brunch, beer, cocktails and mimosas from Locale Gastropub and The Brewhouse Gallery. The Rust Market takes place on the third Saturday of every month through April in the front parking lot and the alley behind 700 Park Ave.. Admission is free. Vendor space is available beginning at $35. Get details or reserve a space by email at jfurman@kelseyvintage.com or contact Jesse at 561-543-6304. Instagram: @therustmarket.
2. Riviera Beach: 102 years young
Wish Riviera Beach a happy birthday! The city was incorporated on Sept. 29, 1922. A family fun night is planned to mark the occasion with food trucks, a kids fun zone, music and a drone show. The party is from 6:30 to 9:30 pm Friday, Sept. 27, at the Marina Event Center, 190 E. 13th St.. Volunteers and vendors can contact Valerie Grimsley at vgrimsley@rivierabeach.org or 561-812-6598.
3. On the road with Hootie
Hootie and the Blowfish bring the “Summer Camp with Trucks Tour” to West Palm Beach on Sept. 28. The band blasted onto the scene 30 years ago with one of the best-selling albums of all time: “Cracked Rear View,” which sold nearly 15 million copies and was certified platinum 22 times. Fans have been clamoring for a reunion tour for years but lead singer Darius Rucker has been super-busy on the country music circuit, releasing his first album in 2008 and his sixth country studio album, Carolyn’s Boy, in 2023. iThink Financial Amphitheatre is at 601 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach. Tickets for the lawn start at $35.30. Reserved seating starts at $67.45. Get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.
Keep reading for three more things to do here.
— Janis Fontaine
🌽 Harvest moon: Look to the east around 7:15 tonight for the rising moon. A partial lunar eclipse will peak around 10:45 pm. NASA has more.
