Declare a State of Emergency in response to our local "Heroin Epidemic"
LETTER TO
County Executive, Wicomico County, MD Mr. Bob Culver
Declare a State of Emergency in response to our local "Heroin Epidemic." Due to Medicaid's lack of funding for inpatient treatment, many individuals seeking help for substance-use issues are being turned away, placed on lengthy wait lists, and are being referred to local hospitals for treatment. Our local hospital, PRMC, does not have the capabilities to accept these patients for detox, unless it is a secondary issue to an acute medical problem. Without treatment, the social consequences will be extreme - crime will most likely increase, unemployment will increase, healthy families and social relationships will begin to disintegrate, and the overall health and well-being of our community will certainly be changed for the worse. We encourage you, Mr. Bob Culver, to declare a State of Emergency so that federal funds can be used to supplement the treatment needs of our local community.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, THE TRUTH
While I firmly believe there is a major epidemic with heroin here on the Shore, there's a LOT more to this story/petition.
The Hudson Center is a fantastic facility and a much needed resource for LOCAL addicts, the Hudson Center was IMPORTING addicts from BALTIMORE, limiting the amount of beds for our very own people here. So much so that they are right, there can be a major waiting list for our very own residents to get in.
Their request and petition to County Executive Culver is just plain wrong and misleading. The Hudson Center lost funding and are trying to use a State of Emergency in order to stay afloat. If I were County Executive I'd tell them to go pound sand, with all due respect.
This is one of the problems of abuse in government funded businesses. If this were a private company only allowed to work in their own district, (the Eastern Shore) and they didn't have enough clients, the private business would be forced to shut down.
However, since the Hudson center was fortunate enough to garnish certain GRANTS/FUNDING outside our area, organizations like this get creative and try to SHAME our Executive into doing something completely uncalled for.
The entire state is in trouble in this area. Heroin is so out of control it isn't funny. HOWEVER, it's bad enough ALL of ouR Highway Users Tax already goes to Baltimore. Let them care for their own residents. We have a big enough problem here, just ask ANY Law Enforcement Representative.
I know of far too many people who have been sitting on that WAITING LIST who live locally. They weren't able to get beds because of patients imported from Baltimore.
We've been told by two sources that the Hudson Center would actually drive to Baltimore to PICK ADDICTS UP and bring them here but not return them to Baltimore once their stay was complete. Sounds a LOT like what we've been subjected to with inmates from ECI. They bring them here from Baltimore and once released they're brought to Salisbury.
So while the people above are trying to get you to stand by them and or sign their petition, know the whole truth of this matter and then look at the crime rate in Salisbury/Wicomico County. These grants/funding may be a great way to keep people employed at the Hudson Center but it certainly isn't helping the Eastern Shore.
Stop trying to claim this petition is for LOCALS. You are the poster child for corporate welfare.
Agree that heroin/drugs are huge problem. However, I think Hudson Center is a problem too. Yes, many clients come from Baltimore, then hook up with dealers here and stay...another mini-version of the ECI problem.
ReplyDeleteWe need to help our locals - especially our kids - before we take on the Baltimore users.
I think this is an outrage. They should help the idiots here before trying help the ones from across the bay. We have plenty to keep them busy and well funded.
ReplyDeleteWhat is their reason for taking people from out of the area first. Do they get to charge more because they are from out of town. IDK.
If they are not helping people from our area then in my opinion they are of no use to us.
It makes them appear to have a high success rate helping people. When they do the six month or yearly follow up call these people are nowhere to be found so they put it on paper that they stayed off drugs or couldn't make contact. Thus raising rate of recovery and getting more funding. I was a patient over a year ago and never received a follow up call even though my phone number has been the same for over three years.
DeleteWe invade Afghanistan, and they become the world's largest producer of heroin BY FAR.
ReplyDeleteNow we have a heroin problem.
How is it that we could fail to see giant poppy fields growing in Afghanistan? Or fail to figure out where it's being processed? And who do you think has the ability and the means to import all this heroin into the US?
Things that make you go "Hmmm...."
4:41, It's about JOB SECURITY. The state funding from Annapolis/Baltimore keep a guaranteed flow of funding. In other words, there are barely any extra beds for locals here on the Shore. I'm NOT saying there aren't beds, if you're lucky, timing wise. HOWEVER, THEY are the ones openly admitting they have a constant waiting list. That is NOT because their patients are from the Eastern Shore.
ReplyDeleteNow that the funding from the state is gone, they are trying to put pressure on Culver to create a State of Emergency to garnish the funds they lost through another avenue.
They way they are going about it is MISLEADING all of their former patients and their Family members. They are also misleading the citizens of the County.
There are many other problems as well. IF you are addicted and you go to the Health Department for HELP, you are placed on a WAITING LIST there to get on Methadone. I believe it's something like 10 to 12 days. THAT'S RIDICULOUS!!!!!
If someone finally hits rock bottom and they go so far as go to the Health Department to start treatment, THEY ARE READY RIGHT THEN AND THERE. If you have to wait 10 to 12 days just to get started, believe me, that person is going right back to heroin and there's a very good chance that person could overdose. Hence why THAT, (overdoses) are kept so quiet. Then you have the problem of drug addicts going to PRMC and they can't afford to pay the bill. WHY, because they can't get the Methadone AND because there are no beds at the Hudson center.
Now don't think our problem here is unique, it's not. That can be proven by so many patients coming her from Baltimore, they have no beds there either. So either enlarge the facility in Baltimore or STOP bringing them to Salisbury without a return trip when their stay is complete.
I should add, it's not because Baltimore patients pay more. It's because the Hudson Center can FILL the beds with more drug addicts from Baltimore and everyone can keep their job there because of such overflow. The Hudson Center should have a bright VACANCY sign up for ALL LOCALS wanting help and not NO VACANCY signs. The waiting list should be for Baltimore patients.
ReplyDeleteAgreed 100%.
DeleteOut of area patients should only be accepted if there are no locals waiting, and a couple beds reserved for emergency admittance for walk-ins. (Or crawl or carry-ins).
Where is my comment Joe?
ReplyDeleteHow come they have not asked Jake Day, too, since most of the addicts are in da 'bury?
ReplyDeleteThe bad news for heroin addicts is the dope on the streets right now is coming from none other than El Chapo and his cartel. Why is this bad news? Because the heroin is very pure and when that charity dose hooks the masses they will no doubt cut the purity from 80-85%, or higher in so cases, down to 50% and the addicts will have to by twice as much to keep themselves high and prevent dope sickness! It's a great business plan however the Shore is in for crime the likes of which you've never scene!
ReplyDeleteThe dope is not coming from el chapo. Mexican heroin is black tar. This tan colored dope is being sent over in sealed dvd cases and sealed shampoo bottles from none other than the marines and army stationedthere. I know this for a fact because I knew soldiers who have done it. They make minimum wage to get shot at and blown up so this isbhow they take care of their wives and children at home. El chapo only deals in black tar heroin. Fact
DeleteDon't discount our very own government aiding in the importation of heroin. Remember Nicauragua? Cocaine funded the contras. Who is funding the Afghani's?
DeleteHudson health services shouldn't be getting any government money. It's corporate welfare and by design it's corruption waiting to happen.
ReplyDelete6:07 has a good point. I don't agree that most are in the city but there enough to justify asking jake day his opinion on the matter.
ReplyDeleteIf you're gonna ask the county exec to declare a state of emergency then yes the patients should have to be from this county. At lest any money coming from any such declaration should only go to help people from this county
ReplyDeleteSo what's the answer? Prevention? Treatment? Ideas?
ReplyDelete6:38, START by forcing ALL law enforcement to expose ALL of the overdoses, crime and arrests. Know that YOU are nowhere near aware of how bad it is right now. Know that your local media is covering it up right along with local law enforcement.
ReplyDeleteYOU need to be educated. IF they wanted to tackle this epidemic they would expose it and be held accountable for not shutting the drug traffic down.
Come on now, Barbara Duncan has failed Salisbury so horribly it isn't funny. Yeah, she's a woman, she's very polite and many say cute but do your damn job and stop taking selfies jumping into the river while thousands of people are overdosing and openly and easily being able to purchase drugs just about anywhere.
Where's Mike Lewis??? You can catch him on Fox News for BALTIMORE issues but again, I can assure you, Mike Lewis knows VERY WELL just how bad the drugs are in Wicomico County. yeah, I know, now I'm the Anti Christ Albero for telling the TRUTH.
Law Enforcement DOES NOT want drugs under control. THEY MAKE MILLIONF OFF OF DRUG TRAFFIC right here in Wicomico County. It affords them GRANTS, new Officers, new equipment and you name it. YOU the taxpayer are being screwed because they are covering up the critical drug problem here.
Another overdose death today. 25 year old woman old railroad rd. In Hebron.
ReplyDelete"Law Enforcement DOES NOT want drugs under control. THEY MAKE MILLIONF OFF OF DRUG TRAFFIC right here in Wicomico County. It affords them GRANTS, new Officers, new equipment and you name it."
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately same can be said for the recovery industry.
Why can't the hospital give out methadone? They have doctors and a pharmacy. Addicts shouldn't have to go to the health department, especially if there is a long waiting list. Or pain doctors, they are part of the problem starting these addicts on painkillers. Maybe they should prescribe methadone to wean them off drugs.
ReplyDeletePlease keep in mind all of the babies in the NICU that are suffering from drug addiction.
ReplyDeleteAnswer: Reach out to these addicts -- if you know any -- contact them. Get them into a good church. Connect them with people. Love them. Show them Jesus. Rehabs and facilities are necessary, but what happens after they're released? Back on heroin, usually.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am mortified that we are taking Baltimore addicts before we take our own local people. Charity begins at home. This country needs to stop helping everyone else in the world and start helping its own. Apparently our county is doing the same thing. Forget about our own dying people and rescue everyone else. Backwards on all levels.
If my math is correct,this problem will soon take care of itself,and I'm only being realistic.I see this as an enormous conspiracy to weed out those who gravitate toward addiction.In app 5 years this "epidemic" should complete it's cycle.There is a grand scheme here that one must step way back to see,but it's well in motion and currently at the 50% mark.We all know when it hit high gear app 5 years ago.I've seen bigger conspiracies,but this is the biggest that I ever saw that had the intention of ridding society of the problem segment of our population.
ReplyDeleteHopefully they plan to put anthrax in all the poppy flowers to be processed into dope. Just kill them all in a couple days time. Few ever recover and continue throughout life until they die an early age or overdose. This would also deter any future users.
DeleteUSA rated a country that contributed 90 percent of heroin to this country. Now we have epidemic?? I'm confused
ReplyDeleteI would like to input my opinion here because I personally have received treatment a few years back at Hudson Heath. The reason why I got in as quickly as I did ( same day) is not because I had a Heroin addiction but bc I also had an alcohol addiction. The reason they Health Dept & Hudson Heath) got me in immediately is bc alcohol withdrawal as well as benzo (Valium and Xanax) can lead to respiratory failure, resulting in death. As I do agree with that, they don't seem to take into account that a heroiin addict will do whatever necessary to get their next "fix" when they are experiencing withdrawal. They (myself included back then) will do whatever regardless if they are putting themselves in Immediate danger. Addiction is addiction and I think the Heath officials should treat every disease as the same.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the Hudson center shipping in Baltimore addicts, I can say that is 100%!true. If I'd had to guess, I say at least 40% of the beds are occupied by Non-Locals. What I found really alarming and I bet that most do not know this, is that they even take in addicts from Baltimore that are still on the Methadone maintenance program. Some of these patients are on such a high doses that they seem to dip out while at rehab. When they get picked up by the Hudson center company driver, they bring their month long doses with them. It looks like a gallon jug. Upon arrival, it gets turned over to the medical staff which administers the doses that they've been prescribed in Baltimore ( people in Baltimore tend to be on much higher doses) I can recall one girl slouched over so much that she drops her soda can out of her hand Onto the floor during a small group meeting. Imagine how I felt to be dealing with withdrawl and to look over seeing somebody so high that they couldn't keep their eyes open. I don't think it was the Hudson center, I know it wasn't the Hudson center that kept me clean for 3 years now, that is credited to my Higher Power, God and my willingness to change. An addict will only get and stay clean if They want to. Working a program is a must, no matter what program it is. I hope that something is done to change the amount of addicts here on the Easter Shore, and I do agree , it just starts with having options to get help, and not be turned away.
Graham Arthur you are entitled to your opinion even when it's wrong, but following his escape Guzman has flooded the U.S. with heroin of exceptional quality with a vengance and he doesn't just deal in black tar heroin as a matter of fact there is less black tar around and what is circulating as black tar is low quality!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mr. Arthur because during my deployment to Afghanistan I witnessed hundreds of soldiers doing exactly what he said. And also as an active addict I have connections to black tar from Mexicans in the Carolina's and from firsthand experience its up to ten times stronger than the Afghanistan tan as it's referred to locally. Even uncut shipments I've received from battle buddies can't hold a flame to tar heroin. I'm guessing your retired ex military by your statement. As if the soldiers deployed could do no wrong. Mr ALBERO. You are correct. The treatment centers here locally would rather read your obituary than give you the on the spot help that's needed
DeleteThis heroin problem was here way before Guzman escaped sir. Hate to break it to you. You sound ex military. With the soldiers can do no wrong attitude.
DeleteThere is nothing in this area that can or will help an addict. An addict needs long term treatment, not 2 weeks. In 2 weeks the only thing that happens to a heroin addict is they go through withdrawls, get clean for about a week then turned back out onto the streets. I've seen it in my own family. Once released it's only a matter of days before they are right back on it again.
ReplyDeleteI say just add some cyanide to the Heroin worldwide. Tired of all these headlines, let the druggies kill themselves and end the pain to the wallet to us tax payers.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you and break your hardened heart
Delete
ReplyDeleteWHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, THE TRUTH
The truth is that this petition was written at a time of great change in the landscape of behavioral health treatment. Things have settled, and this petition isn’t really relevant anymore. It has somehow gained attention lately in light of the increase in overdose deaths. It was originally written 9 months ago.
“The Hudson Center was IMPORTING addicts from BALTIMORE, limiting the amount of beds for our very own people here. So much so that they are right, there can be a major waiting list for our very own residents to get in.”
Inaccuracy – Currently at least 70% of Hudson Health’s patients are from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The wait list might be 1-2 weeks at the most.
“The Hudson Center lost funding and are trying to use a State of Emergency in order to stay afloat.”
Inaccuracy – Hudson Health Services did not lose funding. We receive the same funding through Managed Care Organizations, private pays, and referrals to state beds by way of the local Health Departments. Hudson is/was not looking to receive direct finding from the State, nor do we need it. Many other counties in Maryland were doing this very same thing to pull federal funding to supplement treatment needs in the community. The COMMUNITY needed the funding, NOT Hudson Health.
“This is one of the problems of abuse in government funded businesses. If this were a private company only allowed to work in their own district, (the Eastern Shore) and they didn't have enough clients, the private business would be forced to shut down.”
Inaccuracy – Hudson Health is a private, non-profit corporation. We are not even close to underfunded at this point.
“Hudson center was fortunate enough to garnish certain GRANTS/FUNDING outside our area”
Inaccuracy - We do not receive direct grants from the state. Instead, we are contracted with our local Health Departments to provide treatment in levels of care that State Insurance plans are not required to cover. There is federal legislation that requires this. It was not Hudson Health’s idea. Furthermore, as a private company, we are able to operate and accept patients from WHEREVER we want.
“I know of far too many people who have been sitting on that WAITING LIST who live locally. They weren't able to get beds because of patients imported from Baltimore.”
Mr. Albero, please have them call me personally and I will see to it they receive help in the timeliest manner possible.
“We've been told by two sources that the Hudson Center would actually drive to Baltimore to PICK ADDICTS UP and bring them here but not return them to Baltimore once their stay was complete.”
Again, the levels of care that are offered at Hudson Health Services are not offered at many other treatment facilities, which is why we have people from all over the state seeking treatment on the shore. Many come here as a refuge and find that the Eastern Shore is a life saver. Ultimately, it is a person’s choice where they want to live.
Clearly, you have not read the comments on the petition. You, Mr. Albero, are the only person who feels the need to attack an organization that only seeks to be part of the solution. I urge you to seek out accurate information when you decide to post one of these rants. You have never reached out to anyone in our organization to learn about what we really do. I urge you to do so. You will find that everyone you encounter on our campus is wholeheartedly committed to working with our local community to provide treatment for anyone with a substance use disorder. When you are ready to gain a better understanding of what we do, please contact me, Kennedy Hinman, Director of Marketing and Community Outreach, at 410-219-9000, ext. 120.
Have a great day!
Why did your best counselor sonya mckee leave Hudson? I think Joe needs to contact her at Dave Collins outpatient clinic and get the real scoop on the workings of Hudson health center. The other counselors we're in charge of frying chicken at royal farms and jobs of that nature and have a collective IQ of 90. Oh there's an ex marine with rage issues and a background of traffic assaults too. The only counselor that actually cared about those in treatment left because of inner office politics. She was actually helping people and they can't have that at Hudson health. They rely on recidivism to keep getting paid.
DeleteDear Kennedy, I thank you for your response.
ReplyDeleteWe will agree to disagree on several issues here. However, I want to state I am NOT trying to "attack" the Hudson Center. I made it very clear in my article that the Hudson Center is a "fantastic facility" and a "much needed resource for LOCAL addicts".
Because we disagree on certain matters does NOT mean I am attacking you in any way. Much like the petition message I've posted, your reply takes on the very same misleading information.
Going through the Health Department, (at this point) just to try to get to the Hudson Center is an absolute joke and NO, I am not attacking the Health Department. I firmly disagree with the PROCESS and quite frankly so do many of the people there as well.
There is no need for a waiting list. The hoops you must jump through just to get on methadone is flat out stupid. You have to have the money to get a physical from a doctor, go through counseling and wait, wait, wait for weeks to get the meds AND OR get a bed at the Hudson Center. Believe me, by the time you go through the process I'd bet 95% to 98% of the people WANTING to quit are right back on heroin and even overdosing.
I have never seen a more disgustingly stupid process in my life and we wonder why crime is so high. Crime is so high because the people YOU elected don't give a crap. WHY should it take articles like this to garnish the public's attention? WHY isn't the local media doing stories about how bad it is. BECAUSE it would challenge and perhaps embarass people like Mike Lewis, Barbara Duncan, Matt Maciarello, local elected officials and guess what, we can't have any of that now, can we!
I did happen to notice how you did not deny beds being given to Baltimore patients. You also never answered why you do not RETURN those patients to Baltimore, very interesting. Nevertheless, my telephone number is at the top of this page if you'd like to discuss this further. There's no need to do so here but you are more than welcome to do so.
Finally, while it is perceived that the Hudson Center is the answer for heroin treatment and recovery, that is absolutely incorrect. Heroin addicts need far more time in recovery then the standard 30 days. It's a great start but the PUBLIC should be made aware that addicts need probably TWO YEARS of constant monitoring and counseling to get a fair recovery from a drug that cost you FIVE DOLLARS to get hooked on.
So don't let anyone tell you any different. Not the Hudson Center, Mike Lewis, Barbara Duncan or the Mayor. The TRUTH is, the Hudson Center is a great start for those who WANT to recover. Unfortunately, because law enforcement isn't doing anywhere near enough to CURB the heroin problem here on the Shore and because the PUBLIC refuses to ignore the problem because the PUBLIC is not INFORMED or EDUCATED enough, NOTHING is going to change.
That's OK though. This just means I'll have that many more years to write and "attack" others for their failure to do their job and or tell the TRUTH.
Heroin addicts need far more time in recovery then the standard 30 days.
DeleteIf an addict manages to get in the Hudson Center and only has State insurance they do not stay 30 days. It is 2 weeks and out the door they go. Years ago someone I knew used the Hudson Center as a ploy to have DWI's dropped. At that time they stayed 30 days for alcohol treatment. Today, it's 2 weeks and the drug dealers are waiting outside for them to be released. Let the Marketing Director dispute that and I'll tell him/her they are a liar right to their face.
After reading all the comments , I will tell you guys something that was mentioned . Law enforcement in most of our cities depend on these arrests with drugs , police officers are getting rich on the streets and some are on the take. Baltimore is the best example , I know of at least two police that have retired and purchased property that only high end rich people could afford. I also spoke with a relative of mine that was a Baltimore officer , he has purchased more than 100 acres with a home , and the money just keeps rolling in.
ReplyDeleteThink about it , bust 2 people a week carrying 5 hundred = 2000 a month. Of course most of these guys do much better than that.
It won't stop!
Hudson Center has really gone down hill since Charlie Andrews left as CEO years ago. The weekend staff are so unprofessional and uncaring its pitiful. Went there on a Sunday afternoon last year for an interview as a part time "tech" and the overweight nurse kept eating and wouldn't acknowledge my precense after grumbling about someone interrupting their lunch. (this was at the time they told me to report for an interview(. Finally got some young fellow to explain a crock of $hit to me. He made no sense and explained nothing. Putting two and two together I thought they were so amateurish and uncaring that I would be better off working part time somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteMonths later I ran into two seperate testimonies for others who had had similiar experiences. A couple of weeks ago, they were back advertising again. Something isn't right with the Hudson Center. I feel sorry for Willis Hudson's family to see how unprofessional and ineffective for our local community this "facility" has become - its just sad.
A 30 day rehab is nothing more than a revolving door! After 30 days an addict is just starting to think with a clear head that's when a 30 day program pats them on the ass refers them to AA/NA and says good luck knowing darn well that maybe 5% of them will stay clean! It's called job security! Think of all the people who would become unemployed if the drug problem was solved, they don't want to solve it as such, just try to keep it under control. Most arrest are for petty dealers you never here of the big guys getting busted. Maybe once in a great while to keep up the illusion something is being done. There is a drug out there that takes the feeling for the need of the drug away but the state has decided to regulate to just a few doctors who can prescribe it. Why? Because of all the monies involved with fighting a losing battle on drugs they have been fighting longer than any war in the history of the world!!
ReplyDeleteAntibuss was used for alcoholics. It worked as long as they took it.
DeleteJoe - I am astonished that for once I agree with you. The "process" doesn't work for many people. But until another one is introduced, there is not much we can do.
ReplyDeleteI did address the "importing" of Baltimore addicts. We transport them home if that is where they want to go. If they have family here or have found housing here then they are adult, human beings, and it is their decision to stay. Typically, if they are on a program such as methadone, we are required to transport them back to that program. I'm not sure where this huge misconception came from that we are somehow hoarding addicts from other areas. It's completely ridiculous.
As far as my attacking comment, you most definitely are. You can sugar coat it by saying we are a fantastic facility but ultimately you are undermining our work with your inaccuracies. I am just suggesting you get facts before you post stuff like this. I'll just leave it at that.
Here's a fact. The program was, at one time 30 days now it's 2 weeks. What earthly good are you doing in 2 weeks? NONE!!!
DeleteWhen I was at the Hudson center in the last year I snuck out every night through the woods with a couple other guys and bought drugs. Once we had the drugs back at the center we made a killing selling them off to sick patients who were underdoased by the rude ass nurses. There was even a young employee named marquis who would sell dope at night's on the weekends. It was too easy to leave the facility and hook up. I feel bad for what I did but was from Baltimore and had no money for cigarettes. Mr Roberts need to pay more attention to patients on the weekend and less time bartering sexual favors from female patients if you catch my drift.
DeleteImagine that, considering facts. Cheers to Ms. Hinman for sharing facts on this site for a change. Shame on you Joe for ignoring them.
ReplyDeleteKennedy, Are you trying to convince me that you can CURE heroin addicts in 30 days or less??????
ReplyDeleteYou see, that is YOUR program and guess what, IT DOESN'T WORK.
Now, would I be willing to better support your institution more if you were actually more geared towards recovery, absolutely.
Mind you, I'm not at all ignorant. Your program is a great start and very much needed but let's not KID people here, it's a 90%+ failure in CURING heroin addiction.
Now, I know you are passionate about what you and everyone else does there, I get that. No different then every police officer and firefighter being passionate about their jobs. However, when you look at the BOTTOM LINE, are they/you actually FIXING the problem? Well, firefighters are forced to pick these addicts up and bring them to the hospital, same patients, time and time again. Is that reported to the public, NO. Police officers keep arresting the same people time and time again, most of which cannot afford legal representation and simply give in to the treat tactics because they are vulnerable. Is crime on the rise, ABSOLUTELY. Are property values plummeting here in Wicomico County, ABSOLUTELY.
So sure, we NEED the Hudson Center but truth be told, we need a much better facility and trust me on this one, (ALL OF YOU) that is in the works. Unlike a FIX from the Hudson Center, WE are after a CURE.
You can criticize ALL of these addicts, (as I have seen many comments do) or YOU can realize that YOU have much more to lose starting with your property values plummeting, the lack of businesses locating here, no jobs or decent wages. It's a community problem and GUESS WHAT, your local law enforcement is failing you.
As I've always said, if the coach of a NFL team keeps losing year after year, THEY MUST BE REPLACED. Even though they are very nice people, very likable, it doesn't mean they are WINNING! YOU do have a stake in this game, your properties, businesses, lifestyles. We need to REPLACE the local law enforcement leaders and get leaders in there who are serious about crime. Remember, the ones who benefit most here are slumlords, some of which are on your council. Some of them enjoy reduced rent on those properties as well, not just ones who buy properties are distressed prices.
There's a LOT more to this whole heroin and crime problem. If you want to stand by and watch a final destruction happen, just act like this isn't your problem. Just go back 10 years when it was only SBYNews exposing the crime problem in this area. Well, did crime really go down? yeah, maybe a murder or a rape in one year but theft, robbery, B&E, PLEASE! How many Bank Robberies alone have we seen. How many convenience stores have been robbed. Gas stations.
To FIX the Eastern Shore, we need leaders who can and will turn the numbers completely around. That is NOT happening, period. Disagree with me all you want, the Hudson Center is NOT the answer and certainly not when they take in more patients from Baltimore then right here on the Shore and certainly not when there's a waiting list because of outsiders. They are not a solution, they are increasing the problem right now.
You know me Folks, take the politics out of it and you'll see I go right for the truth and throat.
I would NEVER mention the word cure when it comes to addiction. You see, I'm a professional with a licensure. Addiction is a chronic, progressive, TREATABLE disease. There is no cure. Go check the DSM-IV if you're interested in factual information about the DISEASE. OH! Forgot.... That's not your thing.
ReplyDeletePlease list your success rates of your 2 week program? I know of 5 failures right here in town.
DeleteKennedy, let's agree to disagree on the term/word "cure". Let's then look back at my at length responses. You and I both have our names on our remarks and that in itself is a positive thing. There's no right or wrong with heroin, would you agree? This means, (should you agree) WE need to openly discuss our differences in order to BETTER educate others.
ReplyDeleteNow I see you didn't disagree with the rest of my comments and quite frankly they are hard to argue. We need to face all of the problems heroin creates as a whole. On my end it's about exposing the full ramifications of how this hurts our communities while your expertise it to tackle the addiction end of things, I get that.
You do the best you can with what you have and I believe I do the best I can do with what I have.
Now, all that being said, what can WE do TOGETHER to better all of the above?
You're arguing/debating their Marketing Manager. She is paid to keep up appearances for the facility, not tell the WHOLE truth. She accuses you of sugar coating as if she hasn't done the same thing. She also stated they are a PRIVATE business and can take people from anywhere they choose. Translate that to, they are in it for the MONEY. Recovery is not on their agenda, if it were the program would be longer than 2 weeks and they would run the dope dealers out of the surrounding area.
DeleteI love when addicts get clean and become counselors and "professionals".
ReplyDeleteIt tickles the heck outta me.
Have to work everyday with other addicts to stay clean. How weak.
Can anyone confirm the program is only two weeks now?
ReplyDeleteA few years ago my daughters boyfriend had the misfortune of getting in there.
ReplyDelete14 days he was there.
He went on to get worse than when he went in. I heard it finally did him in last year.
Lucky for her and I she was not having no parts of an addict and tossed him soon as she realized he was a drug user.
I did keep in contact with his parents through it all because they are wonderful people who have a very weak and now dead son.
OK, I'm digging into this and learning a LOT. As for the two weeks, some of what you are saying is true. HOWEVER, there's a lot more to that then anyone realizes.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to take the time to write a new article referencing this matter. Stay Tuned.
Shut it down. I'm sick of paying for other peoples stupidity. I'm sick of paying for their methadone when they can't find dope. If this were an episode of Intervention they would tell Uncle Sam he's an enabler. I smoke cigarettes. If I haven't had one in a while I may sometimes get moody. Instead of the Government paying for my cigs, they double the price with taxes. Start making these stupid junkies pay for their own methadone.
ReplyDeleteI know a guy that just checked in. 2 weeks. He only did it to get Mommy off his back and because he knew they would be keeping him medicated.
ReplyDeleteThere is a shot that heroin users can take that makes the heroin ineffective. It is called Vivitrol. The cost is about 1,000$ per shot and lasts about a month....but who can afford that amount.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I am looking at this the wrong way but it seems to me that my tax dollars would be better spent on more law enforcement than drug rehab. If they kill themselves that's on them. We were promised life, liberty, and the PURSUIT of happimess. Nothing more.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many jobs the Obama administration is creating because of heroin addiction. The leadership in this country is sick.
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