Culture View - Not so Black and White

[becvan]

I did not want to muddy up the other thread that this was raised in. In another thread, it was implied that buying someone needles for their drug addiction is enabling despite the reason being health hazards.

Now I disagree with this. In Canada, there are many needle exchange programs for the exact same purpose. This practice is being reviewed to see if it has helped at all, at this time. I would say it's about a half and half opinion on whether or not this works or is enabling. I sit on the side that this is helpful not enabling. It's better to have clean needles to try to prevent to spread of diseases that kill along with the chance to give information out to drug users. I know many will disagree.

Anyways my point is this is not a black and white situation where it's definite enabling. In Canada's culture it can swing either way. I'm sure there are other countries that have these opposing views too. Cultural differences need to be considered. Personal preferences need to be removed.

bec

[Jim]

My opinion. Clean needle exchange is positive. Big picture, it reduces disease for all concerned or involved. Many who use needles have children. Protects their kids, and others they come in contact with. Many have no choice with sharing needles or not. Could get beat up and worse, for refusing to share. Good for the healthcare system as fewer people will need treatment for Hep C and other diseases. And. Simply because one uses drugs, does not mean they are less deserving of help. Many reasons people begin using. Overall a good program in my humble opinion.

Jim.

[Jim]

Read this a bit too quickly this morning whilst rushing to a meeting. ;-) Seems though this is regarding a specific situation, not simply needle exchange programs in general? Where is the thread this was originally discussed in?

Jim.

[Nicolette]

Where is the thread this was originally discussed in?

Coming to terms with my trauma (http://http://www.ptsdforum.org/thread7441/4.html)

[anthony]

Exactly Jim.... hence why I deleted my response from this thread, as it just wasn't worth it. A statement has been taken from a conversation, which the statement from myself is based upon the specific conversation and events in one persons life, not about the clean needle programs of the world. I concur with those programs as they are having a positive influence upon the world in lowering AIDS and other blood transmitted diseases between users.

[Jim]

Ah. Thank you for the link Nicolette.And to Anthony for the clarification. Just finished reading. Well done of cypher for sharing all of that. Yep. Definitely taken out of context there.

Jim.

[becvan]

Considering I have specifically mentioned the needle exchange, I would say I am not taking anything out of context. Read the news, this is a big, controversial topic right now. I wanted to share my thoughts on it and get some other views. Thanks so much for the shut down on an honest topic. Really appreciated.

bec

[anthony]

Hi Bec... If you wanted to raise this as a unique and topical conversation, why did you take a partial statement from another thread with the intention of presenting it in a completely false and misleading way? Read your opening statement... You took a statement made to a particular person, in a specific situation, then generalized it here in a new thread with the intent to completely misinterpret what I said which shows intent to cause conflict. Why?

Why not just start it with what you said above? That was far better than your opening post which included a mix of what I said with your own opinion, trying to show it as totally mine, which its not my opinion of the matter. So why do it in the first place? Obviously it wasn't just me who read it this way....

[lolabrigitta]

Hi,

Yes Vancouver has a great system with the Street Nurses also. They walk the streets checking on the homeless and educating them on clean needles. Directing them where to get clean needles. They are going to want needles anyway so might as well be clean ones.

I support it.


Lola

[becvan]

Why Anthony? Because I am a human being. I make mistakes. I do not always get my idea across in one simple sentence, hence a WHOLE paragraph to try to explain my meaning. Instead of reading it as a whole, or asking questions to make sure you understood what I meant, you and others just jump on me. I don't freaking appreciate it. If this was about cypher do you not think I would have directly quoted, linked or just posted in that thread? NO. Because I didn't want to muddy it, or connect it as I was thinking about the needle exchange. After almost two years on here, you don't know my style to directly go at a subject? You haven't noticed my common quotes and links when referring to a specific person or comment?

The cphyer issue raised the needle exchange up in my mind because it's been sitting on my mind from the news. Get the connection there. What do upi want, my sworn statement in blood. Not everyone is "making statements" to misinterpret or manipulate or argue points with you. And frankly, I'm out right insulted over this.

bec

[becvan]

I want to add that I am taking a break from the forum. I am very outraged and hurt over this. I'm taking me time. I'll be back at a later date when this and members are not getting under my skin.

bec

[cypher]

Well, is this the line?

"They did drugs once in front of me and I noticed they were using the same needle, so I went to the store and bought them needles (is this supporting their addiction, or trying to prevent them from getting sick, I saw it 99% the latter, but 1% of the other.)"


Yeah, I bought them needles after seeing them use the same ones over and over. That is not safe/healthy (well, nor is doing drugs) but I was concerned for their saftey, If they were going to do drugs that involved needles, they had to be new, clean and sterile...no sharing. I'm sure thats how they did it on the street, sharing, and when sharing needles, disease spreads fast.

Why did I buy them needles? Concern for their saftey and health, and the saftey/health of others. It was NOT my intention to encourage the use of the drugs.

Did I see this as supporting their addiction? THis is a hard question to answer, but yes, to a point. They had an addiction, I thought I could help them (boy was I wrong!!) I think I mentioned in the other post i tried to get them to go to a drug place in the area- they didnt go. Again, by buying the needles it was NOT my intention to encourage their usage at all. It was to help keep them safe and healthy. Had I not bought them the needles, they would still be sharing endangering themselves. I couldnt stand on the sidelines and just stare and do nothing.

When I bought them the needles the first time it was when I saw them using it over and over, then when I did not bring some more home later, they were pissed, punched me in the stomach.

I did what I thought was best for them at the time. If they were going to use drugs, they would have to do it with a clean, sterile needle. no sharing!! Looking back, not used to being around people who use drugs/alcohol I think I did my best. I defenetly did things wrong, made mistakes, and it nearly cost me my life, but I did my best to help them, especially my own mother. And I'm still here.

Anthony made a good point about saying something along the lines of "if you do drugs in this house, youre outa here" It wasnt that, it was stated better but that was the jist. HAd i had more confidence in myself maybe i could have done that?? I'm not sure. I think Ide be afraid of the consequences, but I could call the police from public phone. MAny mistakes, but learned alot about myself and life in general.

[Acer]

I did not follow the post and responses from where this originally came from. This is just my opinion about needle exchange programs. As a person that worked for one (I am an advocate and outreach worker for many causes), I fully believe in the necessity of needle exchange programs. I do not feel that providing needles enables a drug addict. If they are addicted, they need clean ones to safely use, otherwise they will unsafely use. At that point, they don't have a choice. It is merely a basic harm reduction technique, to provide clean needles, water, cottons, and even to suggest or to provide clean drugs where that is legal (not anywhere here in the US). Addiction is a very real illness and is not controllable in any way when a person is dope sick (needing dope). It isn't when they are in great need and suffering from untreated withdrawals that one gets all 'tough love' on them. This is the time to help them be safe.

Providing clean needles helps curb the spread of infectious diseases, like HIV/AIDS and Hep C, as well as MRSA.