I have recently received emails from two readers of my blog about their own personal experiences regarding Methadone. I feel very privileged these two persons have trusted me enough to communicate their stories, and would like to reassure them and any others wishing to do the same that all personal contact with me will remain strictly confidential. No information, personal story or experience that is forwarded to me will be publicized, or used towards my blog or MMT Campaign unless I'm intructed or permitted to do so.
I do have an appointment on February 28th with Robert Steenhuisen, Regional Manager CADS Auckland. Community Alcohol & Drug Services (CADS) operate and are responsible for The Methadone Maintenance programme, so this meeting regarding my MMT Campaign is very important, and the opportunity it extends is one I intend to grasp whole heartedly. Any readers of my blog whom wish to contribute towards this meeting can do so by forwarding their views, experiences or stories, whether they be positive or negative about Methadone or the programme via my email address prior to the 28th.
Some professionals within the drug addiction sector and our Government Associate Minister of Health, Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman have definite views and perceptions of the MMT programme, and of the drug Methadone. Dr Jonathan Coleman's recent response to me insinuated that my portrayal of Shane's experience on The Methadone Treatment programme, the addictive nature of Methadone, and of the drugs withdrawal problems is without justification, and also that the programme or the drug Methadone wasn't responsible for Shane's problems or escalation of his addiction. Therefore my claims that this addiction treatment programme is a failure and that there are misdemeanours occurring within this programme is unfounded. In other words Shane was at fault, not the programme or the drug Methadone. Maybe I was just imagining what I lived, breathed and witnessed on almost a daily basis for 14 years, do you readers think I was? But at this time I cannot prove otherwise to Dr Jonathan Coleman or his professional addiction advisors, so any contribution from others would be extremely beneficial and much appreciated.
Yes, my blog is a platform for the MMT Campaign, firstly to promote and incite changes to The Methadone programme, secondly to instil awareness about Methadone to discourage others contemplating it as a drug addiction treatment, and I'm passionate and dedicated about that aspect of my blog. But the real heart, soul and essence of my blog and also a purpose for sharing Shane's drug addiction story and his years of Methadone treatment was that it would hopefully give support, encouragement and comfort to those inflicted with a drug addiction, and/or their families. To know my blog is being embraced in the way I hoped it would be is not only rewarding, but also very heartening.
I apologize for leaving my blog readers up in the air for so long about Shane's addiction journey. There will be a posting put on updating you all about that in approximately one weeks time.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
MMT Campaign Link
Another Google search brings another important, significant find regarding my MMT Campaign.
The web site of Dr Alfred Dell'Ario, Clinical Director of Alcohol & Drug Services, Canterbury DHB also has a link to my blog and MMT Campaign. To have my campaign proposals and views regarding The Methadone Maintenance programme acknowledged and recognized as worthwhile and constructive by two such high profile important persons as Dr Dell'Ario and Dr Snee is an extremely positive result. Another encouraging result and acknowledgment of my campaign proposals has been from Robert Steenhuisen, Regional Manager CADS Auckland, whom I have an appointment with on February 28th to further discuss issues I raised regarding The Methadone Maintenance programme.
My blog was always intended as a platform for my MMT Campaign. However, I felt Shane's drug addiction and his years on The Methadone Maintenance programme needed to be told, if only to give understanding, credibility and purpose for my campaign. My story about Shane was also to expose the other side of drug addiction, the effects and ramifications it has on families and loved ones. This is a side and perspective of addiction that most professionals within the addiction arena I'm told aren't often privy to.
The success of any campaign depends entirely on how much interest and awareness it generates, and this 2010 MMT Campaign has definitely achieved that, which I credit to having my own web site and blog. Hence, why this current campaign has received more recognition and positive results than my other two previous campaign in 2007 & 2008 did.
The web site of Dr Alfred Dell'Ario, Clinical Director of Alcohol & Drug Services, Canterbury DHB also has a link to my blog and MMT Campaign. To have my campaign proposals and views regarding The Methadone Maintenance programme acknowledged and recognized as worthwhile and constructive by two such high profile important persons as Dr Dell'Ario and Dr Snee is an extremely positive result. Another encouraging result and acknowledgment of my campaign proposals has been from Robert Steenhuisen, Regional Manager CADS Auckland, whom I have an appointment with on February 28th to further discuss issues I raised regarding The Methadone Maintenance programme.
My blog was always intended as a platform for my MMT Campaign. However, I felt Shane's drug addiction and his years on The Methadone Maintenance programme needed to be told, if only to give understanding, credibility and purpose for my campaign. My story about Shane was also to expose the other side of drug addiction, the effects and ramifications it has on families and loved ones. This is a side and perspective of addiction that most professionals within the addiction arena I'm told aren't often privy to.
The success of any campaign depends entirely on how much interest and awareness it generates, and this 2010 MMT Campaign has definitely achieved that, which I credit to having my own web site and blog. Hence, why this current campaign has received more recognition and positive results than my other two previous campaign in 2007 & 2008 did.
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