Addiction to Drugs/Crack girl!

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Expert: - 4/4/2011


Question
Hi Jacqui!
I do not know if you remember me from a few years back but I am writing to tell you that in the end I did finally quit crack. Last time i used was almost 2 years ago. I remember really enjoying communicating with you and loving your perspective on things. I truly want to thank you as you are the only Internet expert that I bonded with somehow. I guess I never forgot you and maybe you have NO IDEA who this is, but know that I am in University part time and i also quit smoking and methadone. So i  am doing ok today and you had something to do with that.
Thanks so much for being there when I needed someone to talk to.

Answer
Natasha!!!!!
I remember, especially because I told you that both you and President Obama (and president Bush) had something in common, in that you had all taken cocaine!

I am so happy that things are going well for you.  People do move on from drug use - it is often a period in someone's life - and this is why I believe in Harm Reduction, because it means you can support someone while they are still using, so that when they stop, they are still alive.  We often use the (very straight to the point) phrase - "You can't rehabilitate a dead drug user".

What are you studying at university???

You are awesome!  Best of luck and stay in touch!!!

Jacqui

Addiction to Drugs

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Jacqui

Experience

Currently a Harm Reduction Adviser for Salvation Centre Cambodia (www.scc.org.kh). Worked in harm reduction in Australia for 10 years. Studied extensively on the topic and have trained others. Psychologist with Clinical Masters. Two significant research projects on drug use (one on HIV risk and its link with trauma and one on drug related stigma).

Organizations
No current formal membership but consider myself a part of the harm reduction community.

Publications
Conference proceedings - IHRC 2004 (Chiang Mai), 2005 (Melbourne) & 2010 (Bangkok). Anex Conference 2005 (Melbourne) Stigma-Pleasure-Practice conference 2006 (Sydney).

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Masters of Psychology (Clinical). And a multitude of training courses including advanced first aid, pre & post test counselling accreditation for HIV, significant amount of training on hepatitis C, etc.

Awards and Honors
Have presented at international conferences including the International Harm Reduction Conferences in Chiang Mai Thailand; Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand. Also national conferences in Sydney and Melbourne Australia.

Past/Present Clients
I maintain confidentiality about my clients.

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