This week a posted the following and it received a comment and I think that my response is important to understand my thoughts on this and what is really going on.
FDA looking for app like YELP/Urban Spoon to find nearby person with Naloxone
I think it should be available to anyone that needs it. Every business should carry it for emergency problems. Why would you not want to save a life. If you don’t want to help someone save a life it would be interesting to hear why you don’t . Please give us your thoughts on this matter. Oh please you say it may involve more risk taking ???????Dear I have a brain freeze . You have to give me a moment.
I have no problem with trying to save a life… but.. how many times should we “save a life” that really doesn’t want to be saved ? Giving a person who has OD’ed Naloxone is not really saving a life… because without some sort of follow up therapy and just putting them back in the position/environment that they came from.. where they learned to abuse some substance or supported their abusing some substance.. is really not saving a life.. it is – in reality – just postponing what is probably the inevitable end… sooner or later..
I have seen statements from bureaucrats basically “high-fiving” the fact that they have “saved” a single person TEN TIMES in a 24 hr period. It is not unusual for individuals to be “saved” multiple times.. I have not seen stats published on those issues. Those people who are in the death spiral of substance abuse… maybe even be suicidal … and there is a high probability that they will eventually succeed. We can only save those who wish to be saved.
Filed under: General Problems
I would also add to what the article states,that if we really desire to save lives,let’s end this misguided senseless war on drugs,that destroys lives.Let us rethink the entire concept of drug use,and even drug abuse,and put it where it really belongs,not in the hands of a criminal justice system,but in the hands of medical professionals,who could handle it far better.Mankind has sought out and used substances since the beginning of time.The war on drugs is a failure because it is a war on the natural,yes natural inclinations of humans.It would be comparable to a war on sex,or a war on eating.Hyperbole indeed but nonetheless true.Let us stop making criminals out of people who are not criminals.The desire to change human consciousness is not,or should not,be a criminal offense.The desire to alter consciousness,or self medicate,is as natural as sex and eating,and when those natural needs and inclinations are done in moderation,they are not harmful,but enjoyable and beneficial.Yes some go overboard and abuse.But the reality is,MOST do not,and to punish the majority because of the minority is unjust and senseless.
I agree with Doug and was ready to say same thing. Treatment for addictions, good treatment which includes in-patient therapy, is very expensive, and yes, it fails often and may take several times to work. Not everyone gets to be on Dr. Phil and be gifted with the best treatment Center in The US.
The war on drugs and overdose is the same as every other war America has been involved with since the end of WWII. They go in and rip their target apart then fail to help rebuild it. The DEA, CDC and FDA along with our elected officials are seeking total destruction of the narcotic industry and really don’t care about who dies in what they consider “FRIENDLY FIRE”. So yes I agree that saving a life is important, it won’t help if it’s only a temporary save. Administering Naloxone will only help of the victims get sufficient treatment afterwards. Start treating the mental side of addiction and we will really state saving lives.