AMESTY FOR KATRINA DRUG ADDICTS...Listen up!

[bribri16]

People, please hear me out. I have had some experience with volunteer work at homeless shelters dealing with drug addicts and alcoholics. I keep hearing about the dangers to children and women in the Katrina shelters housing large numbers of people. I am just sick with rage and horror and compassion for all of these people. But most government and law enforcement personnel seem to be focused on looters, shooters, rapist, thugs etc. I understand the concern but I think they are going about this the wrong way. I want to make it safter for the Katrina victims not more frightening.

It seems to me that health and law enforcement people could get together and come up with a plan to offer help to those among the victims who are alcoholics and drug addicts...in the name of safety for the multitude of poor innocent victims living in these shelters. Nothing is more out of control than an alcoholic who can't get alcohol or a drug addict who can't get a fix. I am suggesting that a plan be devised to announce availabilty of treatment and rehab for these people who are now desperate to the point of killing, raping, and abusing the victims of Katrina. Instead of just a Rambo approach which only leads to violence and more shootings, the approach should be to try to bring in as many of these desperados as possible. By now, without being able to get their drugs or a drink, a lot of these people might just turn themselves in in return for treatment (which amounts to some form of drug to calm them down.) Maybe some of them can honestly be helped with methadone or other forms of rehab. At least it might remove these people from the communities and lessen the burdon on law enforcement. If any of you out there have seen the documentary about methamphetimine and other drugs out there, you know how dangerous these addicts can be when they are in dire need of a fix. Sexual abuse seems to be one of the common side affects of meth addiction and usually against children. I think it's worth a try but I am at a loss as to how to get authorities or social workers and health officials to pay attention to this. I know it's a big factor in what is going on that is endangering lives.

[Bluebear]

1. Any disaster plan should have contigencies for the addicted

But that would call for a bleeding heart liberal nation. Bravo to you for addressing it.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

2. This is the most sensible thing

I have read about this disaster. I have seen the DT's. I can't imagine having them in the Superdome. (Although maybe that wouldn't be much worse than reality I guess.)

Do you have any information as to whether there is any functioning relief agency that deals with this at all?

[Bluebear]

4. Hey Grannie....glad to have you at DU!

[TallahasseeGrannie]

8. Thanks..

it's kinda scary but I'm having fun!

[Bluebear]

9. Don't be scared, we only consume newbies on months with an R

Oops, it's now September! LOL!

[TallahasseeGrannie]

10. Why do I suddenly feel

like an oyster?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Addiction has always been a medical problem

in nations like Great Britain, where it has been so treated, the crime rate has gone down.

[King Coal]

5. I agree with you, but I do have to ask:

What would prompt a junkie in need of a fix to rape?

[dsc]

7. probably the rapes can be excluded from that

but people do get delusional in withdrawl. I could see a person raping as part of a delusion.

[bribri16]

14. It depends on the drug the person is addicted to. Some affect the areas

of the brain that incite sexual desires. It is well documented. Most of your sex offenders are on or have used some kind of drug.

[dsc]

6. I think that is one of the things that government has to learn from this

Places with large numbers of alcoholics and addicts are going to need to have that accounted for in evacuation plans. I remember what it was like when I ran out of booze and it really sucked. I wouldn't wish that on anyone without someone medical to watch over them.

[watercolors]

11. In Fl all sex preditors have a specific place to report to

It is usally a jail, during hurricane evacs. It was put into effect this year!

[rogue_bandit]

12. Food can be an addition, too.

At a recent food additions group I heard one woman express her pain for the compulsive overeaters affected by the hurricane. I immediately thought about those lines for food boxes...and the one per person rule (heartless ass**s).

[SlavesandBulldozers]

13. that would require, of this admin, care and understanding of the afflicted

and you and i know that care and understanding aren't exactly hallmarks of chimpworld.

[bribri16]

15. Well, if they truly cared about the other victims this would be a major

step to prove it.

[zippy890]

16. worth considering

Given the reality of drug addiction it makes sense for EVERYONE'S sake to have perhaps a part of the police department trained in dealing with this problem during a crisis.

The chances of this happening is nonexistent in the current political climate - drug addicts are thought to be criminals to be punished only(build more jails), rehabilitation and recovery would require that they be viewed as human beings.

Thanks for posting this topic - its been on my mind too

[bribri16]

17. Anyone with any ideas on where to send this message? The MSM

will be totally useless. Is there a FEMA or NOLA contact website where they are actually reading the e-mails?