AboutJacqui Expertise I am committed to Harm reduction (is it a dirty word in America??), a philosophy which acknowledges that people are going to continue to use drugs despite all of the effort put into stopping it (case in point - US government drug war ... trillions of dollars, people still using ... hello??) Anyway, I advocate to support people who use drugs by reducing the harms associated with their use through needle and syringe programs, advocating for drug law reform (alcohol legal, marijuana not ... go figure?). I currently manage a service that provides primary health care, health education and needle and syringe program to people who inject. I have also worked as an "on the ground" worker for many years and am currently studying a Masters in Clinical Psychology. Happy to answer questions about blood borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C, questions about dependency on opiates and other substances. Questions about treatment (particulary methadone and buprenorphine). Questions about harm reduction and why we bother with it. I can try to answer questions about drug tests. As an alternative to my fellow experts, I won't be judging anyone. If anyone has taken a sip of a coffee, or drunk a beer, then ... well we are all drug users, and I don't think we are going to see an end to it! Deal with the real, I say.
Experience Manage a primary health service for people who inject drugs, and have worked at that centre for 7 years
Organizations Registered as a provisional psychologist with the Victorian Psychologists registration board (this is for psychologists working under supervision or currently studying a masters). Much of my experience is related to my work rather than to my studies
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), Bachelor of Psychology with Honours,
currently studying a masters of clinical psychology, completed one half of a graduate certificate in Addiction studies (transferred to psychology as it had better career prospects) - lots and lots of short training courses.
Awards and Honors Presented at international conferences (Harm Reduction Conference in Thailand and Melbourne)
It is refreshing to hear such a compassionate person caring for someone that has multiple issues going on in her life. You have already done so much for your loved one by just being there for her.
I can offer some advice about her legitimate pain. Since she has become dependent on the opiod medications, such as percocet and oxycontin, you should try finding a physician who specializes in pain management versus a methadone clinic.
I am also a chronic pain patient and have been for over 14 years. After years of struggling with depression because the percocet was no longer working and I had to keep taking more and more, I finally found a caring physician who prescibed me methadone for my pain. I could not believe the change in my life. I was out of pain and he treated me with respect. I have been on methadone for 2 years now and have finished my masters' degree, along with working full time in a pain management practice, where I am able to care for patients in my same situation. Good Luck and hang in there.
