I just went through a training session at work today on drugs and drug trafficking. It was a timely class, since I just got the latest issue of reason, and their cover story is about legalizing heroin. It was interesting to get the perspective of the narcotics officer who gave the lecture and compare it to the article. It was clear that like the blind men and the elephant, they each saw only a portion of the problem. According to the article in reason, heroin isn't that bad, that a majority of users are occasional users, who never fall into the addiction cycle. On the other hand, the narcotics officer described in detail the effects of continuous use of meth both physically and mentally, not in dry detail, but with examples from his experience.
Then he told us something that shocked me. According to the officer, one of the treatments for meth addicts is to switch them to a controlled dose of methadone, similar to the treatment for heroin addiction. Then he told us that after their daily methadone dose, the addicts are given a couple of tablets of a drug similar to methadone to get the addict through the night until their next dose.
Here comes the fun part.
Those tablets have a street value of about $120 apiece. Addicts can take those tablets and sell them on the street, then buy their drug of choice free and clear.
Now comes the part that will send you through the roof.
The methadone treatments are funded through TennCare.
Yep, you and I are paying for an addict's next score.
Posted by Rich at May 7, 2003 2:16 PM | TrackBackAddiction is a response to pain. Chronic drug use is caused by chronic pain.
http://windsofchange.net/archives/003370.html
So not only is fighting drugs useless. It is morally wrong.
Our current drug "control" model is not based on science it is based on a narrow religious view of morality. In fact drug prohibition is brought to you by the same wise folks who brought you alcohol prohibition.
Posted by: M. Simon on May 13, 2003 1:14 PMMethadone is a LEGAL drug given by a medical doctor for heroin addiction..Not only wass your story outragious, it was hidious...I am a heroin addict that has turned her life around because of methadone..I came from the streets, and now I own my own business and I am a produtive member of sociaty...What is this crap about giving addicts pills to hold them through the night?? There is no such thing...And to say that recovering addicts are selling these "pills" on the street is insane!!!! Forone thing, therre is no such pill, and for another 99% of heroin addicts on methadone are in recovery..Get your stories stright before you get a lawsuit on your hands..I am glad that I dont live in the backwords country of Tenn.You people are a joke..Get some education because if you dont, many herion addicts in your State are going to die..Get a life and stop harrassing heroin addicts who are trying to make a life for themselves....I hope someone in your state sues you for slander....Grow up....The more I read this post that this person made, the angerer I get.....Maybe I will sue you..I am passionate about my recovery, and whoever you are who wrote this piece of crap is a moron
Patrice Bedrosian-Nagel
Posted by: Patrice Bedrosian-Nagel on June 5, 2003 3:23 AMWhat training class did you go to? The police officer that trained you is an idiot. Addiction is a disease that cannot be cured, AND the medication does not sell "on the stree" for 120.00 a pill. First off most clinics do not dispense pills, they dispense either liquid methadone or the biscuits that are somewhat like alka seltzer. Second, you don't pay a cent, the addict pays because of narrow minded people like you that know nothing of the disease of addiction. Use your coumpter to educate yourself on this disease and then post a comment. Your way way off base sir.
fran
Posted by: fran on June 6, 2003 8:47 AMsee my response here:
http://64.21.37.2/~rhailey/cgi-bin/movabletype/MT-2.5-full-lib/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=1698
Whomever wrote this article needs to have their brain examined. That article is totally incorrect and has been taken out of context. I have never heard of little pills that have been given to recovering addicts that sell for $120.00 a piece - I do believe that its your head that's on fire...yes, you!!! Ignorance is why there are many deaths and untreated in Tennessee and many other states in our country. I am very thankful that some states are educated and smart enough to know that people that are stable on methadone are productive members of society and pay their taxes like every taxpaying citizen in America. If you get sick, lose your job, need certain medications for your illness then how would like for someone to deny you of any help. It could happen to you. You never know what might come along. Methadone is one of the safest and already regulated enough drug in the USA. Thanks to smart and educated scientist and advocates we now have help for our fellow man. If there is any human decency to you at all you could have never wrote the things that you did. My God doesn't want us to have such bitterness and hatred in our hearts. It sounds like to me that you need some heavy prayer that will release those demons that you have all locked up inside. You sound like to me that you are the one that needs some medication. By the way, I am on Tenncare and they have never payed for my methadone treatment and I have been in treatment for eleven years. Also, I too am a professional that works everyday as much as I can and pay my taxes. There is no one that knows that I take this medication and there is no need to. Tenncare has finally got their wakeup call and so has the rest of the world that you don't turn your back on the needy - you respond with love, kindness, and help. You sound like a bitter person who doesn't like himself very much. Tell me Rick, what kind of drugs are you on. If you had an anxiety attack or heart attack wouldn't you expect your insurance to pay for your medication rather it was Tenncare of Private Health Insurance. Most of these people that Tenncare is helping have payed taxes for years and so does their families and most have been productive members of our societies. I guarantee you that there is probaly someone that you know really well that is taking methadone. Don't judge people when you have never walked in their shoes. If you have any shred of religion in your soul then you would know that the bible says that we must not judge. I'm sorry that I am bashing you so bad but you have asked for it. I hope that you will eventually come to your senses. Like Patrice and Fran said methadone patients take their treatment seriously. There are a few sometimes that want to play around but that happens with all things that life has to offer. Next time RichieRich, get your facts together, PLEASE...FOR THE SAKE OF ALL HUMANITY...GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE A BETTER TRAINER NEXT TIME...SOMEONE SOMEWHERE HAS FALLEN SHORT IN MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE EDUCATED CORRECTLY, NOT INCORRECTLY.
Posted by: on July 28, 2003 1:41 AMNice Site, Keep Up The good work!
Posted by: online casino on January 20, 2004 1:06 PMThis site rocks!
Posted by: blackjack on February 12, 2004 2:20 PM