Pubdate: Mon, 7 Mar 2011
Source: Times Recorder (Zanesville, OH)
Copyright: 2011 Louella Lynn
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/b4KEE6vQ
Website: http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2740
Author: Louella Lynn

GET EDUCATED ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE

I am astounded at all this talk about wanting to stop the abuse of 
narcotics, and how they want to help people. That's so typical.

I have tried repeatedly for more than a year to get help for a family 
member who has overdosed twice -- and has actually died and been on a 
respirator -- and no one would help me. I have written letters to 
judges; I wrote to the editor; and I have called the courts, and I 
can't get one person to direct me anywhere.

It's all about money, and if you don't have any, well you just can't 
get any help. How many drug addicts do you know who really can hold a 
job, let alone have insurance? If a person is a drug addict, and they 
are a danger to themselves, I believe a family member should have the 
right to take control of their choices and decision-making until they 
can prove to be stable and competent enough to do it on their own. 
It's way past time to get control, and I, for one, love my family 
enough to fight and take a stand in any way I have to.

Talking to someone and simple counseling is not always enough. Where 
are the detox centers and treatment centers? Get educated on 
substance abuse, and maybe then you will realize how to properly 
assist in eliminating the problem.

Louella Lynn, Zanesville
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom