Drug Addiction Stories & Info

In the aftermath of the Vancouver riots, over 8,000 people, citizens of Vancouver have used social media Facebook and Twitter to rally round and begin clean up operations. Boards covering damaged plate glass in shop front windows bear testimony to the dedication of Vancouverites to put their city right, and get things back into order. Many people have inscribed messages of hope upon the boards – We Love You – Vancouver.

Dominating the message boards are the words – Rehab Vancouver – perhaps testament to the increasing problem of drug use in British Columbia, in particular methamphetamines.

Vancouver, although an international transit port, with associated social issues, is nevertheless widely regarded today, as a model city – clean, prosperous and kept in good order. It is said that the only litter on the streets are the masses of cherry tree petals that fall onto washed down clean pavements throughout the central business district.

Canada plays host to many international events – the G20 summit, the Winter Olympics, CHOGM and Game 7 of the Stanley Cup hockey finals that was held last Wednesday evening in Vancouver. Not since 1994 has there been the wholesale rioting in Vancouver after a Stanley Cup final.

Riots Are a Sign of Social Condition

Some observers are of the view that rioting is part of the history of British Columbia, fostered by political division, and an unequal distribution of wealth. It noted that riots have followed hockey games where Canadians won, the inference being that rioting in British Columbia is more about social conditions, than related to hockey fans or the outcomes of hockey games.

(source:  http://www.amazon.ca/Reading-Riot-Act-History-Vancouver/dp/1895636671)

Police Reaction

After the 1994 Stanley Cup loss and the rioting that followed, Vancouver authorities developed a highly structured riot plan, which would appear not to have been implemented in this latest Vancouver riot. At the G20 summit in Toronto last year many protesters were arrested. Toronto police now face million dollar lawsuits for wrongful imprisonment and arrest. It is suggested that Vancouver police were hesitant to place themselves in a similar position, and were taking a fairly laid back approach to riot control last Wednesday.

(Source article Toronto G20 and Vancouver riots)

People Surrendering

Interestingly, in the wake of the violence that erupted, people involved are now voluntarily surrendering themselves to the police, perhaps because caught on video, perhaps out of genuine remorse. Perhaps both law enforcement agencies and the rioters themselves would each prefer a more conciliatory means of resolving social issues than the riotous confrontations that regularly break out.

A  Lesson to be Learned

Whilst it is clear that clean up ops and criminal prosecutions will tidy up and restore the appearance of “order” to Vancouver, what lessons will be learned, what changes made as a result of this outbreak of violence in the city.

Predictably, authorities promise more law and order, and enforcement.

Is criminalization of rioters merely a way of attempting to end the problem without getting down to the roots and causes of aggressive social behavior, and frequent outbursts of rioting.

The Social Divide

In 2007, a concerned Vancouver citizen posted personal comment about Vancouver winning the 2010 Winter Olympics, seeing the hosting of the games as having the potential to increase the social divide in Vancouver between the rich and poor. Some people could anticipate higher profits to be made, some would face more social dislocation and poverty – against a background of organized crime and increasing drug use and drug related violence throughout the wider community.

(Source article)

The article comes out in favor of a greater distribution of wealth and more social empowerment for the poor and homeless as a cure for simmering criminality and drug use. A system of governance, designed to sweep the problems of Vancouver under the carpet, so as to make Vancouver an attractive place to host highly profitable international events is seen as counter- productive. Failing to deal effectively with social issues, leads to increasing levels of substance abuse, and addiction to drugs and alcohol.

What did happen to Goodwill?

Money and profits seem to have replaced the goodwill and positive international relations originally envisaged by events such as the Olympic Games. The games as a result suffer from related drug use, corruption and bribery, the only intention being to reap a profit, and send participants home with medals.

Eliminating Rioting and Substance Abuse

If cities such as Vancouver want to eliminate rioting as a cultural norm, they will need to reform the norms of their culture, by promoting increased social inclusion, and create a more democratic basis for the distribution of wealth. Otherwise, people will continue to abuse substances, drugs and alcohol and continue to express their pain with outbreaks of violence and rioting.

People seeking a complete solution to community violence and drug use will be waiting for some time. History proves that entrenched power structures are highly resistant to abdication of power and productive change. People who feel disenchanted and disempowered need to make changes within themselves. People need to reconstruct their depleted lives, and give up their dependence on the substances and drugs that create an illusion of being happy.

The Solution Narconon

Comprehensive drug treatment programs such as Narconon, help people to overcome drug and alcohol abuse, teaching them empowering social skills. People are happy and more contented when they can get free of the pressures of life that make them vulnerable to drug use and rioting.

People looking for happiness, and an end to substance abuse will get results by choosing the fully comprehensive and effective Narconon drug and alcohol rehab program.

Get started on the road to recovery, call 1-877-782-7409

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I was in complete shock to learn that my oldest daughter was pregnant with her third child in 2 ½ years. I did not find out until she was very far along in her pregnancy and it meant she had been lying to me for months about it. Then I realized the amount of drinking she had been doing and my heart sank. Having studied in the medical field, I knew what fetal alcohol syndrome could do to a child and worry was an every day part of my life from that day forward. When I confronted my daughter about being pregnant and drinking, she moved out that very night.

She was also an alcoholic

My daughter became someone I didn’t know. She would hang up on me if I said anything about the kids or the unborn baby, and she would say things like “Oh, you think YOU were a good mother?” This was my sensitive and sweet daughter, mind you. This is the daughter I would never have expected this behavior from. She didn’t come over very often and in the beginning, I didn’t see my two lovely grandchildren at all. I was so concerned about the baby that it would make me physically ill. I found out the baby was a boy and I also learned that my daughter had planned to give him up for adoption.

She was staying with a woman who was great with the grandkids, but, she was also an alcoholic. Her doctor called CPS and they paid me a visit, among others. The last thing I wanted was for all of the babies to be taken away from my daughter and yet I was so concerned about the drinking. I informed CPS that IF it came down to it, I did not particularly want to raise any more children, but I would care for my grandkids for as long as it took for my daughter to get sober. He agreed that even over her protests, if the kids were taken away, they would come to me. I simply could not believe all of this was happening. Now, I had a grandson on the way and had no idea what complications he would have as a result of the alcohol my daughter had consumed throughout the pregnancy. It wasn’t going to be long before he was here, and we would all find out.

To put it bluntly, Levi (also known as Spotted Wolf) is one of the most charming street people I’ve ever met.  I look at this man and can see that in the past, before the broken noses and drug use; he would have been a very handsome Native American man.  I met Levi in the parking lot of the Family Dollar one day.  We must have talked for over an hour.  He told me about his late wife and how he always swore to protect her and about the love they shared.  I was charmed, but I was not blind to the fact that losing his beloved wife had made Levi a broken down wreck (albeit a charming one).

His face is now scarred from the many fights he must have been in.  He does have enough self-respect to stay at a homeless shelter when available so he can eat and shower. Other than that, he spends his time either trying to get drugs or trying to get people to buy him some Listerine from Family Dollar.  (Listerine has alcohol in it).  I know there are times he sleeps in the doorways of businesses or wherever he can find that he doesn’t think he’ll be found by the police.  It so happened I was in another store and mentioned Levi.  One of the workers there knew him, back before the drug use.  She said that Levi and his wife used to have a simple, but nice house with a pretty yard.  Levi had a job as a laborer and treated his wife like a princess.  “But”, she noted, “That was before”.  I nodded, understanding that “before” was before his wife passed away, before the drug and alcohol abuse started.

I’ve met street people before, but none of them really tugged at my heartstrings like Levi.  I think of his now broken and scarred face and then I think of how truly charming he is.  Levi also had on a hospital bracelet and told me of his last admission.  Levi isn’t going to be around much longer and I think overall the world is going to lose a wonderful man.  If only he hadn’t turned to drugs and alcohol to comfort him through his grief.  If only he had had someone to talk to and help him through it.  I can only hope now that when Levi passes, it is at least not in the streets.