Denial -Addiction Non-Issue in Louisiana.

CreaToo many systems, look for ways to deal with the consequences, or after effect, of neglecting our glaring community problems with alcoholism/addiction. I have had the willingness and desire like many I know to see change come to life, to support health and safety for all people. It is true that justice can't be served with alcoholics are allowed to pay huge fees, fines, or simply spend time behind bars while their denial is left untouched- no need to address their illness right? We can just lock all of the alcoholics and addicts in Louisiana away, yet that is our approach at present, one good example is the total neglect of alcoholism in our current DWI sentencing which is in dire need of total reform.

Nope. We can't afford this injustice. It is not reasonable nor rational to neglect to prevent, fail to treat, and reject recovery for these folks. In short, the systems are geared up with money and resources for cleaning up the impact and destruction of untreated addiction.

The results are entire sytems built and sustained in dealing with the ever growing problems related to untreated alcoholics and addicts, while demonizing and stigmatizing those who have failed to thrive in a broken system of care.

Alcoholics and addicts are doing by definition what they do- drink, use other drugs - further negative consequences, do little more than fuel an alcoholics/addicts desire to remain trapped in their cycle of self destruction.

There can be little question that those who are problem drinkers, progressing toward full blown alcoholism/addiction stand in life threatning situations, after all most people killed in alcohol related crashes, are those who are impaired and driving.

Their illness obviously continues to place themselves and others at risk in the community.

Just by definition, alcoholics/addicts have lost the good reasoning ability needed to act "responsibly". In fact, they are as alcoholics going to make poor decions when it comes to alcohol use and their related behavior. This not a new finding. The World Health Organization and American Medical Association for more than 50 years have declared alcoholism to be an illness rather than a moral failing.

Many forms of turmoil are emerging post Katrina, the outright trauma by those surviving as well as those helping those in need in this diaster. We have seen addiction- treatment, recovery support, all but denied as a real issue in the aftermath. This has placed those seeking help and those living in the denial of this illness with little hope for help in ending their addiction. The services and support (like basic detox and addiction treatment needs in Louisiana communities) were beyond lacking prior to the storms of 2005, and interest in fixing a very broken system was greatly resisted by most of those officials running the system.
I can personally speak to the backlash and bite of those fiecely protecting this broken system.

Knowing that real desire to make a difference in all efforts always seems to come second to protecting the position or prestige of those running the show.

Well now, there is no hiding behind feel good stories, the truth about our "non-response" to a public health epidemic must be dealt with.

Either we build more prisons, or we change this broken system to effectively prevent and treat alcohol/other drug abuse and addiction. Denial paves the way for many to remain hooked on anything that numbs the pain of this fiasco, there is hope, and help and a better way, but this will not prevail while the strong arm of all efforts is focused on punishing addicts/alcoholics rather than treating their illness and supporting their recovery.

Recent reports by alcohol sellers show up to an 85% increase in alcohol sales for those returning in devestated areas. Sadly, the same reports indicate no expansion of medical detox services once held for all state residents at Charity Hospital in New Orleans which may or may not ever be re-opened.

Time to Re-Evaluate our approach, and reconsider the state, community response to alcohol and other drug problems, shaming, stigmatizing, and incarcerating may provide short term feelings of victory but as we can clearly see it is a long term nightmare for Louisiana and tax payers when are forced to clean up cycles of addiction that go on and on when ignored as has been done.

Our state has had a deplorable pre-Katrina response to treatment needs in Louisiana, this MUST CHANGE. We see that the veil is thin, and if you can write your law makers, local city council, let them know that you want a real response to this problem that puts Recovery first not last....

Think smart, reduce crime, social struggles, improve family and community when we prevent addiction and treat those impacted. Saves major spending, and promotes clear paths to healing.....