I did something today. I spoke out, when usually I would NOT. I chose not to sit silently and just think to myself…I wish people would not make comments like this!
In response to an internet article I read this morning I wrote:
At: Mar 19 2014 09:54:59
As the mother of a Heroin addict your comment in your article...” um, better not to speak of the yard, unless you're a Hollywood location scout looking for somewhere for your heroin-addict protagonist to bottom out.” reinforced for me the stigma & ignorance that is shared throughout the world about those who suffer in real life with addiction.
The worst of the worst-- I believe is what you were trying to depict.
I am part of a group of people who actually knows about addiction, I have done my research because someone I love suffers from that disease. And I am writing to YOU today to let you know that you, with your comment, you have promoted a stigma that does nothing to make this world a better place, in fact comments like yours do just the opposite!
As a writer, and especially as an editor, you two should try a little research and be less offensive with your “cleaver” writing skills and comments. You might as well have said….”a Hollywood location scout looking for a suburban neighborhood yard where a family that suffers from cancer might live.” … or “someone who suffers from a mental illness or AIDS might die.” Oh but wait you would never do that would you? Was that really the BEST description you could come up with? Why not describe something deliberate…like that of a Slum Lord? Just for the record, for many addicts to “bottom out” often results in death!
My son struggles with his disease…and those with no sympathy or compassion for people struggling with something they obviously know nothing about, should not be allowed to write about that or be on the internet. Comments like your Ms. ______promotes stereotyping, ignorance, hate, and uncompassionate diarrhea of the MOUTH! Do you think that anyone WANTS to be a heroin addict? REALLY??????
Addiction is NOTHING to try and be cleaver and/or funny about!!!!!! It is a real and serious life threatening disease for many, many people. If you want to write about something, why not write about something that will make a difference in this world? e. g. Breaking the Stigma of Addiction might be a good place to start.
Try a little research and educate yourself. God forbid you or anyone in your family find themselves enthralled with the disease of addiction. Here is a place where you can start.
http://www.heroesinrecovery.com/
Sincerely,
The returned response:
Thanks very much for taking the time to write. We appreciate your concern and will keep in mind the points you raised about the stigma that addicts face.
Sincerely,
I believe that by nature most people are GOOD and compassionate, but often their fear of the unknown can produce a rush to judgment without a real understanding. Anything with unpleasant and negative social symptoms will be judged harshly by society. No one wants to be the victim of theft, heartache, or false witness, all of which comes along with loving or even knowing an addict.
Only when the research, education, and knowledge about addiction from the scientific community are understood by society can we begin to make real progress in controlling this disease. Often education is the key to compassion and compassion is key to outreach. Without outreach all the knowledge and research in the world can’t change anything. I have discovered that many people work very hard to break the stigma of mental illness and addiction on a daily basis and I only want to help in that endeavor how I can.
There is a legitimate need for many more affordable and accessible treatment programs in this country and around the world. With more knowledge and compassion about the disease of addiction more philanthropic people can help bring about more options that can really begin to make a difference.
In my message, I mentioned Cancer, Mental Illness, and AIDS being similar with Addiction. I want to be clear here that the similarity that I speak of is in the STIGMA that each of these diseases know, in the classification of “Disease”. noun
1.
a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors,
The insensitive way that society thinks of such things can only be mended by those of us who know differently. Years ago I thought I knew about addiction but I did not. I merely was going on what I had seen in the movies or by what other’s had told me based upon their experiences, heresay not learned knowledge. I found my way to a new understanding based on research and education, but I got there from a place of fear. I was so fearful that my son would die I went in search of healing for my son, but what I found was understanding, compassion, knowledge, and healing for ME!
I am so grateful for TODAY, my life, and this world.
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