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 My 20 year old son is a heroin addict. He has a bad addiction and has been through several rehabs. He has felony charges against him and is presently serving a 6 month sentence in a military style boot camp in the prison system. They perform hard labor and it is rumored that abuse takes place in this facility. I realize my son is playing with death and I'm wondering if you have any words of wisdom of how to deal with having your son in such a dangerous place. Of course not being in there might be more dangerous. Any words of wisdom?
Answer Hi Susan,
I think it is shocking that there are abuses going on in the system, but unfortunately I am sure this occurs quite often.
I am not necessarily sure that he is safer where he is right now, and I must admit, I don't think that drug use itself should be illegal. However, it sounds like there was a more serious offence that may have led to him being on the wrong side of the bars.
I don't know enough about the prison system to understand what is the best way to get by. I am assuming you are in the US (I don't think we have such things as "military style boot camps" in Australia) and the system over there is getting quite crazy with loads of people in jail. The only thing I can offer is for him to try to keep his head down, don't get involved in things that he shouldn't, and try to use his time to think about his place in the world. I know this probably sounds wishy washy, but I am a great believer in "mindfulness" and the capacity to observe the world around us (Mindfulness is an eastern buddhist based philosphy).
It sounds that your son has some difficult times ahead of him. But is also sounds like you love him and can provide support. Having a loving family to come home to is often a huge incentive to someone. Keep in touch with him.
Finally, I don't know if this is any help, but you might want to speak to a prisoner advocacy group about the things you think might be happening inside the facility. I am not sure where you are, but would be happy to run an internet search for you to find out who might be able to help in that regard.
