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Abstract

the table People with a focus on recovery, not jail cells? We know putting sick people in prison won’t work Those with lived experience shouldn’t be overlooked</p><p id="aaad">Folks in recovery have wrestled with pain With treatment, they’ve discovered there’s so much to gain Some generous souls have the courage to come back From personal depths to get others on track</p><p id="3867">Many have experienced withdrawal and cravings Been homeless and hungry without prospects or savings They can give out tough love as their journey’s familiar And are valuable mentors for those going through similar</p><p id="c585">Pay attention to workers in shelters and on streets Those on the front lines who understand needs People are people, not numbers and stats Have the sense and compassion to meet them where they’re at</p><p id="3a76">Listening with interest to opinions and thoughts And considering all options leads to programs that work Curiosity is a superpower well-known to the wise More questions and less talking would help open eyes</p><p id="a2e9">And let’s respect science and use legitimate stats Reject bias and conjecture and stick with the facts Evidence-based research is what smart people use For policy decisions where the impact is huge</p><p id="1dc5">In some other countries, success has been seen Why not study their methods to see what we can glean? We must switch focus from punishment to care And consider testing programs that have worked well elsewhere</p><p id="d063">Substance Use Disorder is not a personal choice A moral failing to be scorned by the media’s harsh voice Stop penalizing those who treat their suffering with drugs Save the jail time for dealers and underworld thugs</p><p id="2519">Giving fines for drug use belongs in the past. The benefits of supervised consumption are vast Free opioid treatment does not prolong addiction It even saves society money in the long run</p><p id="87c6">On the path to recovery, people need help To find safe, low-cost homes, effective treatment and work They need clean, free medication, support and connection Experience-based guidance, non-judgemental direction And treatment faci

Options

lities with no stay-length restriction</p><p id="04dd">Addiction could happen to you or to me One nasty curveball, and where would we be? And how would we hope to be treated by others As worthless criminals or like sisters and brothers?</p><p id="a4b2">Toxic drugs are killing our family and friends If we fail to take action — where will this end? We must educate ourselves and start conversations On behalf of our loved ones and the health of our nations</p><p id="5984">Thanks to all those who have generous hearts Good intentions are always a great place to start Reach out and help — don’t turn a blind eye Because there but for good fortune, Go you — and go I.</p><p id="bc1f">© Gill McCulloch, July 2023</p><p id="4148">Thanks for reading! If you’d like to get an email when I publish, please<a href="https://gill-mcculloch.medium.com/subscribe"> subscribe here.</a> You can find my full story index <a href="https://readmedium.com/gill-mcculloch-story-index-a4d6bdad2219">here.</a></p><div id="e43d" class="link-block"> <a href="https://gill-mcculloch.medium.com/list/688094ee228e"> <div> <div> <h2>Toxic Drug Crisis and Addiction - Stories by Gill McCulloch</h2> <div><h3>Edit description</h3></div> <div><p>gill-mcculloch.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*f67cc2b2e54f35ec6af3a072741fd07b83530136.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="57fd" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/gill-mcculloch-story-index-a4d6bdad2219"> <div> <div> <h2>Gill McCulloch — Story Index</h2> <div><h3>undefined</h3></div> <div><p>undefined</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*-gaHET701jNyHJhsbOORew.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

OPIOID EPIDEMIC CALL TO ACTION

People of the World — Wake Up to the Toxic Drug Crisis!

A Poem

The Opioid crisis is a worldwide emergency That needs to be treated with far greater urgency Graphs display death rates with alarming increases It’s a troublesome puzzle with numerous pieces

A toxic drug epidemic doesn’t discriminate, Between rich folks and poor, there’s no single determinate With a human catastrophe affecting millions of lives We must prioritize solving it before countless more die

How can we manage such a challenging task? Finding solutions that work is a formidable ask We must seek out and examine all the root causes Disconnection and anguish, body pain and trauma

Nobody chooses a life of addiction Harrowing events often change life’s direction Taking people to places we can’t imagine To escape from torment too deep to fathom

People use substances to mask mental trauma From childhood abuse or conditions they’re born with Physical pain from work injuries and sports May lead to the misuse of drugs of all sorts

Shame on Big Pharma for their part in this mess And for those who make money off human distress They’d be wise to step up and start work on redress Because karma will dish out as good as it gets

Some recovery programs promote prayer and religion These should not be required in a treatment equation Twelve steps and faith are for many a dissuasion From facilities and programs that could otherwise aid them

Faith works for some, but not all are believers Should they have to be hypocrites — praying to Jesus? Lay down the holy books, put religion on the shelf Ask meaningful questions about how best to help

What if we invited more players to the table People with a focus on recovery, not jail cells? We know putting sick people in prison won’t work Those with lived experience shouldn’t be overlooked

Folks in recovery have wrestled with pain With treatment, they’ve discovered there’s so much to gain Some generous souls have the courage to come back From personal depths to get others on track

Many have experienced withdrawal and cravings Been homeless and hungry without prospects or savings They can give out tough love as their journey’s familiar And are valuable mentors for those going through similar

Pay attention to workers in shelters and on streets Those on the front lines who understand needs People are people, not numbers and stats Have the sense and compassion to meet them where they’re at

Listening with interest to opinions and thoughts And considering all options leads to programs that work Curiosity is a superpower well-known to the wise More questions and less talking would help open eyes

And let’s respect science and use legitimate stats Reject bias and conjecture and stick with the facts Evidence-based research is what smart people use For policy decisions where the impact is huge

In some other countries, success has been seen Why not study their methods to see what we can glean? We must switch focus from punishment to care And consider testing programs that have worked well elsewhere

Substance Use Disorder is not a personal choice A moral failing to be scorned by the media’s harsh voice Stop penalizing those who treat their suffering with drugs Save the jail time for dealers and underworld thugs

Giving fines for drug use belongs in the past. The benefits of supervised consumption are vast Free opioid treatment does not prolong addiction It even saves society money in the long run

On the path to recovery, people need help To find safe, low-cost homes, effective treatment and work They need clean, free medication, support and connection Experience-based guidance, non-judgemental direction And treatment facilities with no stay-length restriction

Addiction could happen to you or to me One nasty curveball, and where would we be? And how would we hope to be treated by others As worthless criminals or like sisters and brothers?

Toxic drugs are killing our family and friends If we fail to take action — where will this end? We must educate ourselves and start conversations On behalf of our loved ones and the health of our nations

Thanks to all those who have generous hearts Good intentions are always a great place to start Reach out and help — don’t turn a blind eye Because there but for good fortune, Go you — and go I.

Thanks for reading! If you’d like to get an email when I publish, please subscribe here. You can find my full story index here.