Interesting Quotes Related To Addiction And Recovery

There's no quick fix for misery of drug addiction

Vaccine may have uses but it doesn't solve problem

By Jon Ferry, The Province

Anti-drug crusader Al Arsenault, a former longtime downtown Vancouver cop, agrees there's no quick fix to drug addiction: "There's no drug that makes you do the emotional and mental work you have to do to resolve your problems. That's the vaccine that doesn't exist."

Yes, the addict's best friend isn't another pill. It's that uniquely human trait we call free will — the ability to choose options other than just injecting one poison after another into our bodies.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/news/There+quick+misery+drug+addiction/5517615/story.html#ixzz1bTMroT9O

• I think the writer is correct in his position that drug addiction cannot be cured with more drugs.
• I think the writer is incorrect in his suggestion that drug addiction is as simple as free will.
• Drug Addicts are people escaping pain who have severely damaged thinking and feeling patters. Free will isn't enough to save them.
  
• Drug Addicts need a loving family, a safe home, a good life. The same things that keep us "normal" people away from drugs.
  

More Solutions - Solutions Which Come To My Mind

Legalize Marijuana

• Less harmful and addictive than hard drugs and alcohol.
• Addicts seek relief from pain, whether that pain is mental, emotional or physical.
• Marijuana is an effective and less harmful way to reduce pain.
• This is definitely NOT a solution. This is just another bandaid. The solution is : The End Of Capitalism and a Competition-Driven species where people are raised to outdo each other.
  

Another Solution - Rehabilitative Programs

BC Teen Challenge : Faith-Based Recovery

http://www.bcteenchallenge.com/ourprogram.html

OUR ONE-YEAR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM

BC Teen Challenge is a one-year residential program in which drug addicts, alcoholics, gang members, victims of abuse, dysfunctional families, or any other life-controlling problem can begin a new and changed life.

Lives are transformed as they are touched by the love and power of God that is stronger than any addiction that has held them in bondage. The overall objective of BC Teen Challenge is to initiate a total environment approach and change of values in the lives of the students in the program. BC Teen Challenge helps the total person in spiritual, emotional, physical, social and educational perspectives.

Spiritually: BC Teen Challenge deals with the students’ problems as symptoms that relate to deeper problems and conflicts. Instead of escaping their problems they find, through a new life in Jesus Christ, the changing power that gives them the ability to overcome problems and live a more effective life.

Emotionally: The rebuilding of abused minds and emotions is of key importance. The study of the Bible enhances mental growth by serving as the foundation for the restructuring of broken-down thought patterns, creating new, more stable ways of life. Personal and group counseling with experienced staff members help individuals resolve questions and conflicts that they are facing.

Physically: BC Teen Challenge cares for physical needs on a long-term basis. Assistance is given for shelter, food, clothing and recreation. Other needs such as a drug-free environment are provided.

Socially: Through the benefits of a group living situation, students are encouraged to work out relationship problems to successfully relate to family and peers once they complete the program. Such interaction promotes a strong character of moral fiber, right attitudes and desires.

Educationally: BC Teen Challenge has a curriculum specifically designed to teach students more about God and who they are meant to be.

The 12 month program is divided into two stages.

Phase 1 includes group classes, character development, relational guidance, social skills and recreation. To emphasize the educational aspects of the program, BC Teen Challenge refers to its residents as “students.”

Phase 2 concentrates on academic and vocational advancement. The student is tutored in developing positive attitudes, trustworthiness, concern for others and a strong sense of responsibility.

Eligibility Requirements

• Bonafide substance abuse problems
• Minimum age of 19 years of age
• Commitment to the 12 month program
• Evidence of a sincere desire for help
• Willingness to consider a faith-based approach.
• Not dependent upon psychotropic medications.

What you can expect upon entry to BC Teen Challenge

• Immediate removal of all addictive substances (including cigarettes)
• Daily structured program
• A cooperative attitude from you!
• Mandatory participation in the program - daily
• Limited off property privileges (excepted approved passes)

My Thoughts - General Thoughts Sparked By This Wet House Situation

This Situation Is A Microcosm For The Macrocosm Of The Overall Change Taking Place In Humanity.

• I'd say, we're finally growing up and letting go of the primitive concept of resource-hierarchy.

To Heal Addicts, It's Pretty Clear That They Need A Place To Call "Their Own"

• A place where "they belong".
• A place where they are welcome, accepted, loved and wanted.
• Simply put, a home and a family.

Housing Addicts With A Handful Of Babysitters Occassionally Checking In On Them To See They Haven't Fallen Down The Stairs Isn't A Solution

It's A Shame We Have Ignored Addicts For So Long And Are Only Addressing The Problem Now That It's Affecting Our Own Lives

• It isn't right, but it is normal in a world of competition where most of your energy must be put into keeping yourself afloat
  

Creating An "Idyllic" Environment For Drug & Alcohol Addicts Seems Very Unfair To Working People, Who Are Paying For The Facility With Their Tax Dollars.

• Again and again and again, this whole situation is yet another little wake-up call that our entire species needs to change the insane Capitalist philosophy which governs our world.
• We could always go Spartan, or Nazi on the addicts. Less than perfect? Off a cliff you go! ... Naturally that is horrible beyond measure and the Spartans and Nazis were emotionally deformed societies ... am I sure our's isn't though?...
• For those of us who don't have a black ball of unresolved rage constantly scalding our soul inside, solutions must be found besides scolding and criticizing them for succumbing to stuff to numb the pain of existence. To people who say that, I would repeat JC's lines, "Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone." For the solution-minded, the addicts are only going to get better in a place where they are safe, comfortable, loved (very, very hard in our cold Capitalist world...i know...), and have a sense of purpose (working on a farm, breathing in fresh air, learning skills, selling healthy foods to their fellow human beings).
• Drug addicts are children who didn't have a happy home. We can either condemn them, or heal them. Healing them means giving them a happy home now.
  

It's Not Fair! Druggies And Drinkers Would Get A World-Class Facility To Make Them Feel Warm N' Fuzzy Inside, While The Rest Of Us Bleed And Sweat To Pay For Them!

• Well, again, should we go Spartan on these poor people? Should we go Spartan on each other? The Spartans succumbed to a societal system which had a low birth rate, high mortality rate, and lack of innovation. What you would expect in a society based on war. They already tried that system. We should learn from our ancestors and not follow them off a cliff.
• Providing the Facility is a band-aid for the real problem affecting not just Nanaimo, but the whole world. The Capitalist model doesn't fulfill us. Non-stop competition, trying to outdo, outperform, and basically stomp all over each other doesn't make us feel good, at all.
  
• Everybody deserves a World-Class Facility to live in. The world itself should be a WORLD-Class Facility to live in.
• For now though, this little problem has a right solution. We should do that.
  

Action Plan : For Residents Who Want To Do Something About This Situation

Is There Evidence Having A Wet House In A Neighborhood Reduces Property Value?

• My answer would be duh, but I'm not a Real Estate agent, and I don't have historical examples to support my assumption.
  
• A Real Estate agent, or several Real Estate agents should be consulted and their opinions taken down for the record.
• Historical examples of similar situations in other neighborhoods should be researched and related.

Rehabilitative Farms. How Do They Work? How Successful Are They? How Much Would They Cost?

How Would An Alternative To The Wet-House Project Be Funded?

• A Rehabilitative Farm would gain some revenue from selling produce and products produced on the farm.
• If the farm is made attractive enough, if it has some "cool factor" (catchy slogan, striking logo, flagship product : eg. No More Needles Organic Nanaimo Bar) it would attract donations from the community.
  
• Naturally tax revenue to be used for the wet-house, would go to this alternative project.

Other Cities. How Have Other Cities, Around The World, Dealt With Their Disenfranchised?

Crime Rate. Can It Be Demonstrated That The Crime Rate Goes Up In Areas With Wet Houses? Incidence Of Theft? Violent Crimes?

• These poor people, who are trapped in the vicious grip of drug and alcohol abuse, will do pretty much anything to satisfy their needs.
  

Is There A Vested Interest On The Part Of City Council To Push This Wet-House Project Through?

• A wet-house in the North End would pull addicts out of the South End and away from downtown, "cleaning up downtown" as it were.
  
• The city wants to attract the business of Cruise Ships and events hosted at the Conference Center.
  
• Do any of the City Council members stand to profit from money made by increasing traffic to Cruise Ships and the Conference Center?
• What about the money provided by BC Housing? Is some of that money being earmarked for other uses, besides the wet-house?

My Unanswered Questions - Questions Which I Don't Have An Answer To Yet

How Much Money Is Slated To Be Spent On The Project?

My Core Points - In Any Storm It Is Easy To Become Lost, That Is Why It Is Essential To Hold Onto Something Which Keeps You Found

1. A Wet House Does Not Belong In The South-End Of Nanaimo Or The North-End Of Nanaimo.
2. A Wet House Is Not A Solution To Drug Addiction And Is Unacceptable.
3. It Is Unfair To Residents Of Neighborhoods With Wet Houses In Them, And It Is Unfair To Drug Addicts To Be In Neighborhoods Where They Are Not Welcome.
   
4. A Rehabilitative Farm, Outside Of The City, Is The Right Solution For Providing A Place For Drug Addicts.
   
5. If The City Council, In Particular John Ruttan, Is Not Responsive To Discussion Of The Wet House Project, Families In The Neighborhood Can, And Should, Enact A Multi-Family Lawsuit Against The City.

• Sadly, throughout human history the correct form of resolution of human conflicts which is research, discussion, and doing the right thing, is often lost to who has the clout.
• A multi-family lawsuit of the many homes in the North End has a lot of clout.
• It would be better, for all sides, if the situation can be resolved through discussion and pooling of ideas.