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michelneg
Member
Posts: 82
Registered: Oct 2005 |
 Posted October 15th, 2005 10:39 AM IP   
Dear Chase and Barbara,
I want to make sure you understand the pre-release scenario of "Methadonia" correctly. The film was sent to several hospitals in the New York City area before it premiered. It was the hospitals that refused to screen the film for the methadone community. Then Dr. Robert Newman, one of the people who previewed the film, wrote a scathing 6 page press release that was widely distributed around the methadone community. I think Dr. Newman's press release set the stage for a great deal of acrimony. It was later on that AATOD and NAMA joined in with their press releases.
Unfortunately, Dr. Newman knows nothing about documentaries and the case he made against the film was dense and confusing. To be blunt, it was a rant. When I read it, I suggested to the public relations people working with me that they contact Dr. Newman and suggest he re-write it. I knew it would never be published nor would anyone outside the medical community understand what the hell he was saying or thinking. (If your thinking that I'm trying to give Dr. Newman a hard kick in the shins, your right).
Nonetheless, the important thing here is that I never contacted AATOD or NAMA while I was making the film. But now that I understand the agenda of these organizations, I doubt they would have ever supported my film. They claim I made an anti-methadone film. I disagree. I made an anti-drug film for young people. I want teenagers to know they can make choices now that might impact them for the rest of their lives.
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chase
Member
Posts: 52
Registered: Aug 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 10:54 AM IP
michel,
i have spoken with several of NAMAs board of directors and no one can recall ever being asked by yourself or film company to talk with anyone;. I was very surprised when you stated this and NAMA always jumps at the chance to respond to all matters methadone. Please try to clearify who turned you down and why. I just can not believe this is true. i have been a member of this organization for years and i never have or any board member ever turned down providing information and education to anyone. i spend hours every week on the phone or at meeting talking about these issues and not one person in NAMA is paid. From the president down to every advocate we all do this for free because of how important it is to our lives. Please let us know said no to you.
thanks,
Paul Bowman, Boston NAMA
Paul. Bowman CMA and a nice guy.
Together We Will change this World
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mrmichael67
*MODERATOR*
Posts: 1632
Registered: Jun 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 11:01 AM IP
Yes, but it isn't the treatment that is the problem. It's the disease. What is seen in that film could (and probably will) keep people from getting the help they so desperately need because they will only see the negative part of it, which is such a small part of the whole picture. They will look at that and think there isn't any help there when, indeed, there is. The whole truth isn't being shown.
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right--Robert Hunter
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michelneg
Member
Posts: 82
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 12:27 PM IP
Dear Paul Bowman,
I think I generated a misunderstanding by stating something poorly. It was the 2 hospitals in NYC that turned down the opportunity to screen the film before it was released - not NAMA. I think, in retrospect, if one of those screenings had happened it may have provided a more constructive dialogue. But then, maybe not. Nonetheless, at this stage NAMA and AATOD have sent out press releases. They're angry. So I'm on one side of the fence telling them they know nothing about filmmaking, and they're on the other side of the fence saying I know nothing about methadone. That's not terribly constructive. In fact, it's a dead end.
[Edited by michelneg]
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CII Man
Member
Posts: 4
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 02:30 PM IP
tuned into HBO's documentary, "Methadonia," the other night and was, to say the least, disappointed if not outright pissed.
It focused on only three or four methadone patients and all of them were not only on huge doses (300mg per day in one case) but they openly admitted to taking benzos behind their councelor's back to boost the high, which meant that they all were on the nod in almost every frame, looking to all the world like the sterotypical drug-addled, purse snatching creeps that most "decent folk" think all addicts are.
Not once did the documentary show clean, well-kempt people getting their dose in the morning and going off to their jobs to support their families and pay their taxes. Nor did the narrator even allude to the fact that most methadone patients are functional and healthy on MMT. Too bad, because, after seeing this documentary, anyone contemplating going to a clinic to get off smack would surely think better of it. The producers went for the more "cinematic" street junkies with one foot in the grave. Every one of them was physically repulsive and spent their on-camera time nodding out and babbling about how to get high using Xanax and Klonopin on top of their dose. One guy was shooting coke in between visits to his clinic. Fair and balanced it was not ...
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Barbara
*ADMINISTRATOR* - Started MMT, Summer 1989 - ENDED 6/2/2005!!!
Posts: 280
Registered: Jan 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 03:15 PM IP
Whether or not a negative press release was written regarding the documentary prior to it's airing, and regardless of who wrote this press release, NAMA (the self appointed leaders in Advocacy Training and Certification) may have actually **benefited** by being involved, as well as AATOD.. Again, I'm very interested if NAMA knew the name of the documentary when Dr. Newman's letter made it's rounds.. Vernacular is hardly a reason to kick a project this large to the curb.
I find it very courageous of Mr. N to come forward and face the angry finger pointers. Is it remotely possible (even slightly) that we are misunderstanding the original intent?
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to listen for once!!
PS. Mr. N....... What can we do to further the education of MAT in the future with regard to the upcoming HBO documentary in 2006?
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SweetJoy
Member
Posts: 37
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 03:16 PM IP
Mr. Negroponte,
Greetings. I personally have not had the opportunity to see this film but from the discussions I've read I think I might understand a little bit about what is going on.
I was one of those "treatment resistant" people. I have been on methadone for approx. 17 yrs. Yes I abused benzo's and other meds to help induce a high from the methadone. I abused crack because I was on a blockade dose and could not get high on opiates. I finally got to the place where I was ready for recovery. By this time the MMT clinics rejected me as I tried to get back on after detoxing in jail and was quickly addicted to heroin again as soon as I got out. Now that I was ready to let go and welcome recovery it seems help was just within my grasp only to flee away out of my reach. I left my ex of 17 years who is an active heroine addict, went into impatient treatment and got back on MMT while there. They had a hell of a time finding a clinic for me because of my history. Now I have to go out of state to a private clinic.
I have given clean UA's for two years now. I have also been able to work and get off of the public assistance system (for the most part). My daughter needs a medical card which PA has rejected. That is all I ask for from the gov't. I am currently tapering off of methadone and I am down to 28 mgs. I go to 12 step meetings and seek help and support where ever someone is willing to extend a hand. I also have a spiritual program. I'm not there and I will always have a battle to fight.
Although I was not doing well on methadone for a great number of years it still was life saving. I had 4 children to care for. Fortunately my children are all healthy and they are doing quite well. They are in their teens and I truly believe the cycle of addiction in my family has been broken with my kids. I pray that they will never succomb to drug addiction. They have set goals for their future such as college, owning their own business, what ever opportunity life has for them. If it were not for methadone treatment my children would have been thrown into the foster care system and who knows what may have happened to them. I have heard of great success stories and I have heard of terrifying, horror stories of the foster care system. The fact that my children are doing well and hopefully will be healthy, assets to society is reason enough for me that methadone is a valid treatment option and for various other reasons. The pros far outweigh the cons. I'm alive. That is a miracle of the methadone program. Where there is life there is hope. Now that I am no longer "treatment resistant" I have a future ahead of me. Who knows what I may be able to add to society now. Hopefully the good I may contribute in the future and hopefully even now will far outweigh the pain I have caused so many people including myself.
Like I said, "where there is life there is hope." Methadone kept me alive. With that I was able to help my children understand the horrors of addiction. With that I am now able to recover.
Children are the future. I pray that the children in our culture and communities become "educated" about drug addiction. I pray that they make the right choices and follow the path that is not addiction. I don't think scare tactics is education. It adds to the prejudice. When these children grow up with this kind of film in their minds they will have no compassion or empathy for the addict. These are the people who are going to make policy in the future. It scares me to think how callous our children have become. I see it all of the time for those who chose the "right" road. There is no compassion for the addict because they have not been educated but prejudiced. How is that going to help us in the future? Ignorance is the enemy of society and all people everywhere. Where there is no understanding, love, compassion there is little hope.
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mrmichael67
*MODERATOR*
Posts: 1632
Registered: Jun 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 03:25 PM IP
I saw the comment about the "anti-drug" film and had to comment as methadone, or MMT, is a treatment for and not an example of recreational drug use......namely opioid use/abuse. Yes, he was very brave to come here. He certainly didn't have to. And, I will always remain respectful in my replies.
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right--Robert Hunter
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michelneg
Member
Posts: 82
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 04:13 PM IP
Dear Sweetjoy,
Many thanks for your post and sharing your remarkable story. I think it's great that your recovery is on track. I have an idea of what you've gone through because of making the film and the battle can be immense. But keep your spirits up, look ahead, and remind yourself a dozen times a day that what you've accomplished in recovery is a miracle. Good for you!
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michelneg
Member
Posts: 82
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 04:19 PM IP
Mrmichael67 - When I wrote anti-drug, I wasn't making a reference to methadone. What I meant is that the general aim of the film was to send out an ant-drug message to young people. I've seen the death and destruction. I hope the film is a cautionary tale.
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chase
Member
Posts: 52
Registered: Aug 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 04:56 PM IP
Barbara
I think that your coments about NAMA must be from some personality differences you had with some of their members but i have always found Ms. Woods very soft spoken and compassionate and she takes call from people in need all day and helps them. She is the president and spends most of her time helping people and does not even get paid a dime for any of it, any other org of NAMAs size would have a director who would be well paid. The word methadonia is offensive to me because it makes me think of a place full of people living in a fantasy world of being high.Barbara i hope that you will reconsider your negative coments about a group of people who the most giving people i have met and a great support symstem, If i was not lucky enough to find NAMA i think i would be dead today because the got me the help i needed and the education i wanted that no would share with me, We need to stick together Barbara as people who support methadone if i can help you fix any problems you had with them i will do anything i can. i have no personal relationships Miss Woods but i will ask her to give you a call so you can mend this broken relationship.
Just as i want to find a way to work with Michel i just know he had no intention to make anyone think badly about methadone but it just happened because of the way people view drug addicts. i am sure he did not wake up and say i think i will set back methadone treatment stigma 10 years and hopefully it will not.
their is a story thats needs to be told Michel and its how poorly people are treated who recieve methadone and the hoops we have to jump thru to get treatment and how we are treated not like patients with a disease but more like a criminal in a jail. Thats the story and it would be a incredible one to tell how awful methadone patients are treated in many parts of the us, some clinics refuse to even tell people how much medication the are on others clinics video tape us giving are urine samples and you can lose your treatment if you talk to people in line waiting for their medicine, We are seldom seen by doctors and in some places the doctors have over 3400 patients. the state systems are not in sink with the federal regulations. it costs in Boston over 135 dollars a week for treatment and if you are in early recovery its very hard to pay for treatment.
Michel, i enjoyed being Dr Paul Bowman for part of the day i wanted to thank you for that, you could have left it up.
take care and good luck to u. i promise this is my last post/
Paul. Bowman CMA and a nice guy.
Together We Will change this World
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OXYLOVE
Moderator
Posts: 216
Registered: Apr 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 05:29 PM IP
Michel-
Thank you so much for your offer to help...truth is-without meaning to-you pointed out one of the biggest points of all of this...I was so scared, as Zenith pointed out-running for cover!-when I started seeing the ads for this movie. I thought DEAR GOD NOT NOW! Please, can't they just wait and release it next year AFTER we have our clinic here?
First you have to understand that as I said before, this has been a long torturous battle in my community. NO ONE wants a methadone clinic in their backyard! We have a local On-line newspaper and for MONTH people came to the forums there and had thread after thread about this topic. People were CRUEL--one thread was simply a thread where people could make up words (like METHADONIA) and come up with definations for it..,.LIke METHAHO--a woman who will perform sexual acts for the drug METHADONE. METHADRONES-patients entering the methadone clinic in single file crying "we need our dose...give us our dose!"......ANYWAY- you get the point. You can see what this did, not only to me, but my ten year old daughter who, for a time, had not ONE friend that could stay at our house because of the media around this subject in our town.
ALAS--it is a year later, and people have moved on to other topics (I wish I could BE so lucky as to get BORED and move on!!!)....the TRUTH of the matter is I have not heard WORD ONE from anyone regarding this movie. I fretted (as I do!) for weeks about what was going to happen to the negotiations between the city counsel and the people opening the clinic--if any of the counselors saw this movie. BUT-they don't care anymore. Although, I am so very glad that the attention is gone and we wore them DOWN---at the same time I am so sad that this was something people were so passionate about that they kept addicts from getting treatment for a YEAR in our towns...but now they are bored and tired of debating....it gets old when you haven't got a life depending on it, I guess.
Thank you so much for your offer to help....can I keep you on speed dial? Heehee!
Khilchey, Director
ARM-ME Chapter
www.armmaine.org
This too shall pass.........
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SweetJoy
Member
Posts: 37
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 05:45 PM IP
Mr. Negroponte,
Thank you for personally responding. I also appreciate the encouragement. I just want to point out very quickly that although I was not ready for recovery my abuse was not daily. It was in phases. For the most part I was O.K. It's just that everyonce in a while I would go through periods of abuse. Then I would get on the right track for a time and relapse again.
Is there not a way to educate children and help them empathize? My kids are very educated from first hand experience (mommy and daddy) but they are wonderfully compassionate and unconditionally loving.
Yes they went through their periods of pain and anger but I have always answered their questions honestly. When they were very young they weren't really aware that we were addicts. As they got older they began to understand and they were not sympathetic. Now they are letting go of their resentments and I am so proud of them. They are amazing children. For the record, I have 4 kids. 3 girls, 14,15,17 and my son is 8. The only one living with me today is my 17 yr. old as my ex-husband had to ask his sister to step in when I went to jail for an old DUI (I was innocent). She is an amazing woman with an amazing husband. This was two years ago. God my heart broke when I was first confined. All I could do was cry over my kids.
I have a question? First, I want to offer my deepest sympathy for your loss. Your sister passed away, correct? It must be extremely hard for you. It sounds like you loved her very much. It must've been paifully frustrating for you to see your sister in the grips of addiction and the feeling of helplessness as you tried to help. Was your sister on a methadone program when she OD'd? If so did she abuse benzo's? If this is too personal I understand. I'm just wondering if your film had something to do with your personal experience with your sister. I forgot that you did experience addiction in your own way. Perhaps you are trying to come to grips with her death. I'm so sorry for your pain and loss.
Much Love,
Joy
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howardlotsof
Member
Posts: 2
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 07:17 PM IP
Quote:
michelneg wrote:
I think if AATOD and NAMA had found a way to work with us, some of the outcome might have been different.
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Michael,
I am a member of NAMA's Board of Directors and while I can agree that if NAMA had found a way to work with you it would have benefited your film, to be best of my knowledge NAMA was not approached by you in any way to assist in your film's development.
Comments appreciated.
Thanks
Howard
Howard Lotsof
President
Dora Weiner Foundation
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michelneg
Member
Posts: 82
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 08:46 PM IP
Dear Oxylove,
Thanks for your post and yes, keep me on speed dial. I'll try to be there for you. But I get the sense that you have so much fire and energy, you may not need me. At least I hope not. Anyway, it's been great to be part of the forum - and I'll continue to be here. But believe me, I understand your concerns and hope that the people in your community open their hearts and minds, and recognize how important it is to be empathetic and compassionate.
You should see Bill, Mario, Steve and others in the film these days - they're glowing. They're so proud of the film. They're clean. It's been a very moving exeperience for me.
[Edited by michelneg]
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michelneg
Member
Posts: 82
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 08:57 PM IP
Dear Sweetjoy,
It was my sister-in-law, Cathy, who died of an heroin overdose. Sadly, I know several others who have died due to heroin related causes. Most recently a young man - age 17 - who had been friends with my son since they were 3 years old. It was a nightmare.
In terms of your kids, you need to be patient and tolerant with them. Kids want their parents to be strong, present and invincible. That's not always possible. But now that your back, the most important thing is the here and now. Give them a hug and a smile for me.
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michelneg
Member
Posts: 82
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 09:58 PM IP
Dear Dr. Paul Bowman,
You mentioned something in one of the other threads that reminded me of an important story. It has to do with the stigma of methadone. One person I met during the making of my film, who had been on methadone for more than 20 years, was struggling with benzos. I said to him something like - you're in recovery, on methadone maintenance, you just have limit your Xanex intake to your prescribed dose. He seemed surprised. Then he admitted to me that because he was on methadone, he didn't really considered himself "in recovery".
Furthermore, it was almost an epiphany for this guy when I told him "you're in recovery". It made me realize that some people on methadone maintenance respond to the stigma of methadone by convincing themselves that they're not really in recovery. It's tragic. And it's precisely this kind of thinking that gives them the license to pop pills - as if it doesn't really matter anyway.
It made me wonder what kind of counseling this fellow gets at his program. I think some of the clinics are like factories - medicate the client and get him out the door. Clearly some people need a lot more support than they're getting.
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katydid
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*MODERATOR*
Methadone Discussion
Burning Question Forum
Methadone News Forum
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posts: 135
Registered: May 2005 |
Posted October 15th, 2005 10:57 PM IP
Quote:
michelneg wrote:
And it's precisely this kind of thinking that gives them the license to pop pills - as if it doesn't really matter anyway.
It made me wonder what kind of counseling this fellow gets at his program. I think some of the clinics are like factories - medicate the client and get him out the door. Clearly some people need a lot more support than they're getting.
Dear Michel,
I have not yet seen your film--I had cancelled my HBO about a month prior to it airing--but hope fully I will be able to see it in the very near future. I wanted to address the subject of benzo use w/methadone. For many years, I was one of those people who supplemented my daily dose w/benzos--for the express purpose of being blasted. Not a pretty sight! And the fact of the matter is --that it is a factor which should be addressed. It's like anything--if you are doing any particular activity--whether it's taking benzos w/your methadone or smoking crack--most of the people that you associate with will be doing the same type of thing[drug,in this case]. In any case--the clinic I attend decided to enforce their policy on using benzos in conjunction w/methadone. As you probably know--there are always a few "croakers" {M.D.'s who'll write RX for just about anything}--that the MMT fringes will gravitate to,so they can have the "paper" to back up their use of the benzos and/or other pills. My clinic changed the policy so that a RX from a psychiatrist was needed along with written documentation. IOW, you either got a script from a shrink or you were considered non-compliant and detoxed. I was finally faced with the ultimate choice--do I look all over creation and find a Dr. who'll give me benzos--or do I really need this methadone? I chose to try it for the first time in my lenghty drug life--doing things the way they were meant to be done. I got off benzos [a literal hell on earth] and have been"in recovery" with MMT only --for 18 months now!!!
The reason I am going into all this is that--if more clinics would make it so the consequences were to either get right or give the spot to someone who wants recovery--maybe there wouldn't be as much abuse of the Xanax and Klonopins,etc. I realize that there are those who need anti-anxiety meds--and for those there shouldn't be a problem getting the proper source to prescribe said medications. But too often--the clinic system just looks the other way at the benzo abuse- had I not been faced with making a CHOICE--I would probably still be popping Xannies today. The clinics just don't give a shit in most cases--as long as you pay your fee and don't start any problems. I feel [correct me if I am wrong] that this was probably the case at this particular clinic. I know it is no longer tolerated at the one I attend--and although i was pissed as hell at giving up my little blue buddies--I can't thank my counselor and clinic enough for forcing me to finally clean up my act!! I will be 50 years old--and have been on and off of methadone since 1975--I only wish they would've changed the policy on benzos 20 years ago. I thank you for your time and for having the graciousnees to listen and reply to all of us. I will be hoping to see your film soon--I want to see what all of the furor is about, as I can see both points of view here.But I think maybe the title could be a little misleading--however it IS your film!! LOL Thanks again,
Katy
[Edited by katydid]
[Edited by katydid]
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"Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs"
George Bernard Shaw
(1856 - 1950)
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michelneg
Member
Posts: 82
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 10:03 AM IP
Dear Katydid,
Thanks for your posting. I'm glad you're back "in recovery". I also think that you make very important observations about clinics needing to work harder with clients. If you get a chance to see the film, let me know what you think. Good luck with everything!
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Carol
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*ADMINISTRATOR*
Forum Queen
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Posts: 3247
Registered: Jan 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 10:22 AM IP
How very timely......I was approached this morning at the clinic by a woman that I have seen and known there for many years. She was talking to me in line and admitted that she has had a problem with Benzo's for years while on Methadone. It started when her sister tragically died in a house fire and the medical director of our clinic wrote her a script for Xanax. At that point she really needed it.....was having horrible problems with depression etc. However....after a couple years the Dr. told her that if she was to stay on the Xanax she must see the psychiatrist at the clinic and see if HE thought they needed to continue. The psych decided to put her on 4 other drugs that were NOT Benzo's.....really strong psych drugs that she did not want to start taking. Now she is at the point where she's starting to get the ultimatum.....stop taking the Benzo's.....or detox.
Soooo.....now I know how some patients get away with taking Benzo's and some not. I guess like any other drug.....if a physician is prescribing it and the clinic thinks it's valid......they will allow it. I kind of understand the detox......but do not agree with it. While the patient continues to take the methadone......at least they are not on the streets looking for heroin! Sure there should be some consequences......meetings....frequent counseling etc.......but detox for any kind of substance abuse problem? I just don't see it.
smoooooooch.......Carol
CAROL SHOLITON
- President/CEO
- METHADONE SUPPORT ORG.
- http://www.MethadoneSupport.org
- Carol@MethadoneSupport.org
COME CHECK OUT OUR MAIN WEBSITE!!!!
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delmar
Member
Posts: 6
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 10:59 AM IP
Quote:
Carol wrote:
.......but detox for any kind of substance abuse problem? I just don't see it.
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Well, I understand that thinking, but I think it's important to realize that when you allow people to stay on methadone who abuse drugs you invite the stigma, and the harsh regulations that you say you oppose.
If methadone advocates really want better treatment for patients, I think they'd do better facing reality and doing something to help with the problems that have always been a part of methadone clinics, rather than touting methadone as some kind of wonder drug, and then getting mad when someone like Mr. Negroponte tells the truth.
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mrmichael67
*MODERATOR*
Posts: 1632
Registered: Jun 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 11:57 AM IP
Sorry, but that isn't the whole truth. No one here denies there are people like those depicted in the film. My issue is what I just described and what I have posted. If you are going to do a film on MMT, show the whole truth and not just what suits an agenda. I think an anti-drug film should cover all aspects of drug abuse. I hope this cautionary tale doesn't deter people from pursuing MMT treatment in the future due to the unclear picture that was depicted.
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right--Robert Hunter
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katydid
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*MODERATOR*
Methadone Discussion
Burning Question Forum
Methadone News Forum
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posts: 135
Registered: May 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 12:04 PM IP
Hi Carol,
Long time... Just wanted to clarify that I do NOT agree with detoxing as a punishment for relapse or for abusing benzos,crack,whatever. The point I am trying to make is that more clinics need to address the rampant benzo abuse that is currently escalating--at least in my area. I was given more than one chance and being the stubborn woman that I am--decided to push the envelope. Well, it came down to either get off benzos or be detoxed. The rest is history. No way am I saying this is the way to do things--but the patient who is taking the RX should be reevaluated periodically to make sure that the meds are still a viable adjunct to MMT. If not, a timely and humane taper should be implemented. Like I said--there are people who will need these meds--maybe forever--but for those of us who were just coppin' a nod, because of whatever reason--if the situation was addressed by more clinics--maybe there would be a lot more "MMT only" consumers,KWIM? I have heard over and over again from people I used to hang with--"I'll quit this clinic before I give up my benzos"--and I admit I also considered that option. But then I thought about my last run on herion--and decided that I could live w/o my benzos--But NEVER w/o MMT ! I never want to return to that hell again! So if more clinics would enforce a policy that required a psychiatric RX, as opposed to one from Dr. Croaker down the way--maybe we wouldn't see as many people who are abusing the benzos. JMHO.
Katy
"Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs"
George Bernard Shaw
(1856 - 1950)
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kid
Member
Posts: 32
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 12:04 PM IP
Michel,
Thankyou for your entering the forum and knocking it around, so to speak! I believe eventhough some damage has been done, a greater out come of progress may submerge. It's come to the mainstream surface, and is making people see all aspects of the struggle again.
Back in 75' I tried MMT in Nash,Tn. But eventhough I was well on my way to recovery & 20 yrs. younger, the infant stage that the clinic system was in 30 yrs. ago, made it difficult. After 6 mos of staying clean & working, I was kicked of the program for missing group. 10 day disiplinary "Detox " forced me back out into the hell. Having to wait 30 days to come back, I got caught up in the street life of using, and crime, I swore I would never go to another methadone center.
Lucky to still be alive in 93' I found out that the clinic system wasn't like it was in the 70's. It had evolved. I drove from Tn. to Ga. every day for weeks, then phased up. Rewarded with take homes. Once a week traveling state to state to get my medicine for 5 years. All the while the "not in my back yard" ignorance was the reason for my inconvience, because new clinic proposals were being shot down left and right. I can relate to Oxylove very well!!
I think every methadone clinic has a small percentage of people that still use other drugs like heroin, benzos & pot. The urine analyisis tells on them.
Those are the people that you see every morning crowding the lines. I could start smoking weed again, or using xanax, but I would loose all that I have accomplished while in treatment.
I'd like to see another documentary maybe called " The Invisible Sucess Story" This article is an excerpt from the Viewer's Guide for MOYERS ON ADDICTION: CLOSE TO HOME
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/closetohome...ethprofile.html
I read about this forum at atwatchdog. Oh! they are buzzing about Methadonia.
There's definatly heat to be felt there. LOL
Michel I do respect you for not dodgeing the issue. sincerly,
kid
kidcur
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mrmichael67
*MODERATOR*
Posts: 1632
Registered: Jun 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 12:48 PM IP
Good post, Katy! I agree.
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right--Robert Hunter
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mrmichael67
*MODERATOR*
Posts: 1632
Registered: Jun 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 12:57 PM IP
The UA's don't tell on everyone. I have a legitimate script for valium 5mg and right now, I could pass a urine because I don't really take them....only for the rare bad anxiety. I hate the way they make me feel....benzos. But, that script could keep me nice and legal at a clinic and I COULD be taking as many sticks or bars as I desired and all the while, look nice and compliant to the clinic. My urine would have methadone and benzos in it. That doesn't quite tell the whole story in many cases. There are quite a few people who are on benzos and while they are a small percentage as compared to the whole mmt patient population, it is still a big enough number. I couldn't agree more with Katy's post.
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right--Robert Hunter
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SweetJoy
Member
Posts: 37
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 01:20 PM IP
Quote:
michelneg wrote:
Dear Sweetjoy,
It was my sister-in-law, Cathy, who died of an heroin overdose. Sadly, I know several others who have died due to heroin related causes. Most recently a young man - age 17 - who had been friends with my son since they were 3 years old. It was a nightmare.
In terms of your kids, you need to be patient and tolerant with them. Kids want their parents to be strong, present and invincible. That's not always possible. But now that your back, the most important thing is the here and now. Give them a hug and a smile for me.
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Thank you for clarifying. My deepest sympathy goes out for all of your losses. To see your son's lifelong friend die from a heroin overdose must have been heartbreaking.
I can understand how you want kids to be aware of the horrors of addiction. Right now children are the biggest problem with heroin addiction. More and more kids are getting addicted at a young age presently than ever before.
I think I see where you might be coming from with your film. I also understand the frustration from MMT community. Oxylove gave a great example for her concerns.
There are many people on MMT who are doing excellent in their treatment. But if we want to be honest the people who do well are not the majority. But for the people who are doing well, MMT is doing what it is supposed to be doing. If you can help even a few than isn't it worth it? I get frustrated when people look at the numbers. The people on MMT who are not recovering (at the rate people think they should) makes MMT look like it is failing. It jeapordizes treatment for those who are doing well. The gov't looks at the numbers and say, "It's not working." But that is fatal for those who have found recovery on MMT. We also recover at different rates. It took me 17 years. If I didn't have MMT I might have died before I found recovery.
There are so many issues that I would like to address but my posts turn into an essay.
I want to personally thank you for giving us your time here. You deserve props and you have my respect.
Thank you for touching on my children. I will definitely give them all a hug for you.
Much Love,
SweetJoy
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mpvt
Power Poster
Posts: 382
Registered: Jan 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 01:24 PM IP
I agree with Katy too.Were I live we have a big cocaine,benzo,methadone problem.The clinic's have finnally started to get tuff with these people.I see it all the time when I'm downtown.People walking around with their eye's closed,slurring and not making much sense.These are the people that need to be and finnally are being detoxed.There are people who need benzo's although I'm lucky enough not to be one but why should these people have to get a bad rap because of a bunch of yahoo's abusing the system.Like I said they've started to finnally do something about it.I just wish there was something that would help these people who are addicted to cocaine but that's another story isn't it.......Dave
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Bobby
Power Poster
Posts: 143
Registered: Aug 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 02:24 PM IP
I'm sorry, but this board is changing it's whole attitude to this film, that DID set back methadone maintenance a good decade.
The post above from Dave---(nothing perosnal Dave)
"I see it all the time when I'm downtown. People walking around with their eye's closed, slurring and not making much sense. These are the people that need to be and finally are being detoxed."
Detoxed into what?
Oblivion?
Lets have some empathy for the "treatment resistant" people, that for some reason, cannot get off certain drugs. This IS the disease in which methadone is fighting-----addiction! To detox somebody just because they cannot become "compliant" into NOT doing what addiction is----is just not right!
Help them, do not detox them into oblvion----for have not we been there (oblivion) before?
God Speed~~
Bobby
i Bobby
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michelneg
Member
Posts: 82
Registered: Oct 2005 |
Posted October 16th, 2005 02:51 PM IP
I wanted to thank everyone for contributing to the forum. I think the posts have been very thoughtful and very honest. I also want to reiterate that I understand the concerns some people have spelled out (like Oxylove) that some communities might use my film to prevent methadone clinics from opening in their backyards. It would be a total misrepresentation of my intentions for making the film. It's one of the strange aspects of making a film or writing a book. They start off as very personal explorations of an idea, but once they go out in the world, they're on their own. As the filmmaker, you just hope the heart, soul and mind of the film is understood.
By the way, Bobby mentioned something in one of his earlier posts - he said something to the effect: how would YOU like for a methadone clinic (with nodding benzo addicts) to open in your neighborhood. Bobby, if you specifically meant MY neighborhood, well the clinic where most of the people in my film get medicated is a few blocks from my apartment. In effect, the people in Methadonia are my neighbors. Clearly some of them travel from other parts of the city to this particular program, but before I started making the film I'd passed by Bill and Mario and Susie and others dozens of times over the years. In part, it was because this story was unfolding in my back yard, I wanted to know more. In a place like New York City, it's too easy to walk by people and ignore them. I guess by instinct, documentary filmmakers ask questions to satisfy their curiosity,
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Methadone Anonymous Forums :: SPEAKER/SPECIAL EVENT :: METHADONIA...The Filmmaker, Michel Negroponte :: An ongoing discussion with MICHEL NEGROPONTE
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From the beautiful mountains of Scottsdale, Arizona...(and the shopping ain't bad either, lol!)...... 
