While working/doing paperwork in my office earlier, I was flipping the channels on my radio and caught wind of an interesting radio show's topic of discussion. As I've mentioned in previous blogs, I like listening to different topic discussions on the radio now and again (103.5, "Drex In the Morning" or something like that, for any curious Chicago folks wanting to know...). Today's topic was particularly interesting, as it was somewhat related to something I know about: drug addiction and accountability. Actually, the topic was more specific ("Women Who Are Locked Up Simply Out of 'Guilty by Association'"), but found the overall discussion to cover an even broader range centering on the issue of accountability/responsibilty and its consequences.
They were talking about girlfriends/wives of drug dealers who have been arrested and charged with their criminal significant others....basically "going down" (or being "guilty by association"). While one could argue "How could someone not know that they person they are dating/married to could be dealing drugs, running a meth lab,etc?," at the same time, I think looking at each individual's situation is critical.
One woman called in to this radio show with her personal story about how she was separated from her husband and he had a meth lab in some house somewhere and had no idea. Since they don't know whether to believe her, she was charged as an accessory and may serve up to six yrs in a state penitentiary. I can't say whether she was telling the truth, but it had to make me wonder when she made the following comment: "How do you prove you didn't know?" (to a court of law) And does the truth really set you free in such a situation? Hmmm. I'd like to think so, but the reality is it all comes down to politics too I think.
This other caller, a Cook County Illinois prosecutor, gave his perspective on the subject: He thinks drug addicts need help, but drug dealers should definitely be charged. Unfortunately, the reality is that addicts seem to be arrested on the same "level" of criminality as drug dealers and are NOT getting the rehabilitation they truly need. I see this ALOT with my clients who have criminal backgrounds, listening to what they have been through in jail/prison, so that is how I have become more knowledgable about the seriousness of this social problem. As long as drug addicts are stigmatized as "junkies" who are sometimes treated as less than human beings as they struggle through their self-abusive habits, there will continue to be a lack of compassion, understanding, and positive change in the courts/legislative system.
Another very significant and equally valid concern was raised by yet another caller....something else I absolutely agree with and am equally frustrated with myself, as a therapist monitoring this with my own clients. This woman brought up the fact that doctors need to be cognizant and selective when they are giving prescribed meds for highly addictive drugs, such as Vicodin. When used for its intended purpose, it can definitely be helpful to those suffering from unbearable physical pain. But how long does someone realistically need to take pain killers? It is intended as a short term analgesic, not long term (in most instances anyway....as a form of palliative care with terminal illness would be one of the few exceptions to this I think). It is such a grey area that requires medical professionals to educate themselves on the growing epidemic of drug addiction, especially considering how rampant prescribed meds addiction (ie Vicodin, Xanax, Adderal,etc) has become in recent years. I think to an extent, doctors need to held just as accountable as any other professional caring for these individuals. They are ethically bound to "do no harm" and I am a firm believer that "It takes a village to raise a child" is just as applicable to rehabilitating/monitoring those with drug addiction, possibly even more! Many times I feel like working with addicts takes so much more patience from me than I ever needed to muster working with children!
Having just one person in an addict's life to monitor their recovery is simply not enough---it requires multi-level care approach: the justice system, medical system, families, and social services need to work together (versus the current bureaucratic ineffective approach). This also means taking into consideration economics/funding for those that are in need of a higher level of care, particularly inpatient treatment. Interestingly, one of my clients just brought this up in our counseling session yesterday when we happened to be talking about inpatient care. How can one afford inpatient care AT ALL when the cost of one month alone can add up to $10,000?! With all the complications of insurance/managed care and worst of all lack of health care for those who cannot afford medical insurance or medical cards, yet another barrier to conquer!
Granted, this is a complex problem that cannot be addressed overnight, but the hardest things to accomplish aren't usually achieved easily and effortlessly. With a compassion and a drive to be a part of individual and societal change though, it can slowly but surely be a step in the right direction.
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