City Manager's Annual Report 2017 | A Year In Review | Page 25

Q U A L I T Y O F L I F E
The United States is experiencing an opioid
crisis, claiming more than 59,000 lives in
2016. In Florida alone in 2016, approximately
4,000 people died as a result of opioid
abuse. For many local governments, the
human and financial costs are staggering.
Against this backdrop, the role of Recovery
Residences has become an important topic
for local governments throughout the country.
Recovery Residences, also referred to as
group homes and sober homes, are where
individuals in recovery from drug and/or
alcohol addictions reside in a drug- and
alcohol-free residential dwelling.
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6.
RECOVERY
RESIDENCES
While many Recovery Residences provide
a tremendous service to these disabled
individuals and to communities in which they
are located, it became increasingly apparent
that the City’s existing reasonable accommodation procedures needed to be clarified and revised in light of issues raised
by Recovery Residences and their neighbors. Therefore, in late 2017, the City Council approved changes to its ordinances
that govern these reasonable accommodation procedures, which are required for recovery residences.
In revising these reasonable accommodation request procedures, the City takes seriously its responsibility pursuant to
the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices
and services when necessary to afford disabled individuals an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a residential dwelling.
FUN FACT
Port St. Lucie Code Compliance staff has reduced the amount of complaints about
vacant lots from 2,015 complaints in January 2017 to 690 complaints in December
2017 - a more than 65 percent reduction!
PERSONAL TOUCH: NURSES GRATEFUL FOR OFFICER’S DILIGENCE
On a typical Spring night, Port St. Lucie Police Officer Sandra Insuasty responded to a call about an escalating
situation in the Birthing Center at St. Lucie Medical Center. The nurses involved were so impressed with Officer
Insuasty’s actions to defuse the sensitive circumstances, they took the time to write this account to her supervisors:
On March 18, we had a domestic issue that needed
to be handled by a PSL Police Officer. Upon our call
for assistance, Officer Sandra arrived to the fifth floor
promptly to speak to the young patient who had a baby the
evening before. The nurses at the St Lucie Medical Center in
the Birthing Center wanted to recognize Officer Sandra Insuasty
for her diligence in a sensitive situation. A single mother herself,
Officer Sandra was able to relate and speak to the patient with
compassion and empathy.
She also handled the woman’s
boyfriend with such professionalism, calling him out for his poor
behavior. That day, as we saw the situation escalating, we were
extremely grateful for her presence and felt safe as she handled
the situation with such ease. Please thank Officer Sandra for a
job well done. As nurses alongside you in the community we are
forever grateful for your service.
#IAMPSL
CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2017