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)
Question After having survived testicular cancer just to become addicted to prescription drugs, our son used crack for the first time beginning in April 2007. By July, he was dead. Why is it that some can be long time users and survive and yet some like our son, go from being a hard working professional and dedicated father and husband to giving up everything for the addiction? After almost two years I am still so puzzled by it all.
Answer Hi Kierstin,
I am so sorry for your loss. It is indeed a tragedy that someone who has gone through so much, didn't make it.
There are a lot of reasons why some people may be affected greatly by drug use and others aren't. Some of it is due to chance, and some due to other factors. Unlike opiate use, overdose is not the most common reason for someone using crack to die. I am unsure as to what actually happened with your son, and you may not wish to disclose this. However, there are, of course, other things that may affect someone detrimentally, other than overdose.
The use of some drugs in society is legal, and others illegal. Sometimes their legal status can contribute to mortality, and sometimes it doesn't. For example, people die from alcohol use (liver cancer, car accidents, fights) and it is largely legal (although controlled), whereas people die from things like HIV related to lack of access to clean injecting equipment.
Of course I cannot definitely say why your son so tragically lost his life. I am sure you have gone over this a thousand times in your mind and may have not been able to come up with an answer. We may never know ... and you may find that there are a multitude of factors. Unfortunately, because crack is illegal, users often get involved in activity that puts them at risk, and puts them in touch with people who may not have the same respect for human life as everyone else.
One thing that is important to remember is that it is unlikely your son chose to give up everything. He was struggling with a dependency in an environment that makes him a criminal for what is essentially a health problem. He still loved you, he still loved his children. It is important that you remember this.
Finally, I would like to check that you are getting the support that you need. Whilst it has been two years, it is obvious that there are still significant issues for you. You may never get over his death, but you may be able to be more accepting of it, and be able to remember him as the dedicated family man and loving son that he was. Do you have someone who you can call on for support. This can either be informal (friends who are not affected by his death so much themselves) or formal (a counsellor, priest, social worker). Sometimes people find it very useful to make contact with "peer support" which in your case would be other people who have been through the same thing.
I know I haven't answered your question, and I don't think that anyone can. However, I hope that you are able to find peace. I would encourage you to think about finding some support if you haven't done this so far.
