The Sickness of Drugs
Today I read Margaret's Blog about a Columbian heroin ring where they used purebred Labrador retrievers to transport heroin to the US. They cut the dogs' bellies open and inserted packets of liquid heroin and then stitched them back up. Most of them were puppies.
I have never understood the drug thing. I have never did any form of drugs. It was not something I particularly remember being taught by my parents. It was just something that I knew you did not do. Back when I was growing up the big thing then was marijuana. I was offered it but I never excepted it. I just grew up knowing that you never smoked, drank, or did drugs. I can understand how easy it is for some people to get talked into doing things by their friends, to be one of the gang, and not have them make fun of you. But once you do these things then often there is no turning back, especially with today's drugs.
Getting back to the story above, it reminded me of when I worked in a large university hospital. I was a unit clerk and we had an ICU on our floor which I had to go into many times during my shifts there. Everyone in that ICU was in critical condition and most never left it alive. I worked the night shift. One night there was a young woman in there, probably in her 20's, and she was absolutely beautiful. I remember she had her nails all done with red nail polish. She had lovely long back hair. She was on a respirator and was brain dead. I asked what had happened to her.
It turns out that she had tried to swallow a packet of heroin or cocaine (I forget) to hide it from the police. When she swallowed it the bag had burst open. That was the first time I had ever heard of anybody doing anything like that. They said that they place it in small plastic bags and swallow it and it's hidden and then they just wait for it to come out and retrieve it. I was amazed and shocked. There she was such a beautiful young woman and then for her life to be taken like that. For what? For drugs. I just thought it was the saddest thing.
So many people ruin their lives and often the lives of their families and others because of drugs. Those people that bring it here and sell it should be dealt with harshly.
I have never understood the drug thing. I have never did any form of drugs. It was not something I particularly remember being taught by my parents. It was just something that I knew you did not do. Back when I was growing up the big thing then was marijuana. I was offered it but I never excepted it. I just grew up knowing that you never smoked, drank, or did drugs. I can understand how easy it is for some people to get talked into doing things by their friends, to be one of the gang, and not have them make fun of you. But once you do these things then often there is no turning back, especially with today's drugs.
Getting back to the story above, it reminded me of when I worked in a large university hospital. I was a unit clerk and we had an ICU on our floor which I had to go into many times during my shifts there. Everyone in that ICU was in critical condition and most never left it alive. I worked the night shift. One night there was a young woman in there, probably in her 20's, and she was absolutely beautiful. I remember she had her nails all done with red nail polish. She had lovely long back hair. She was on a respirator and was brain dead. I asked what had happened to her.
It turns out that she had tried to swallow a packet of heroin or cocaine (I forget) to hide it from the police. When she swallowed it the bag had burst open. That was the first time I had ever heard of anybody doing anything like that. They said that they place it in small plastic bags and swallow it and it's hidden and then they just wait for it to come out and retrieve it. I was amazed and shocked. There she was such a beautiful young woman and then for her life to be taken like that. For what? For drugs. I just thought it was the saddest thing.
So many people ruin their lives and often the lives of their families and others because of drugs. Those people that bring it here and sell it should be dealt with harshly.
posted by Rachel at 8:18 AM
15 Comments:
Very interesting post Rachel...Like you, I never did drugs. I too was offered, "The Weed" in the most casual manner by a very very talented Jazz Musician,,,but something in me felt I shouldn't do it cause I was frightened of what the results might be for me....what might be inleashed that somewhere, even then, as young as I was, I knew there was a well of stuff under wraps inside me. So, I refused, more out of fear for what might spill out of me than anything else. And I think all the other drugs which I knew were more serious than Marijuana held the same fear for me, too. So, I feel lucky that I HAD that fear...God knows where it all might have led had I everr opened that can of worms....I know I am an addictive personality...Blogging, Cactus, Painting,Music, etc..But to me, these are all GOOD things that don't hurt me or anyone else in the addiction of them...
Does it seem to you that there are more and more serious Drug Problems than ever these days??? It sure feels that way to me. I don't know what the answer is, and unfortunately no one else seems to have a REAL answer to this rampant problem, either. So Sad, isn't it?
Amen and Amen Rachel. I'm with you and don't understand what would cause someone to try these things. The problem isn't just a personal problem. Our County Board approves 10 to 15 thousand dollars per month to house prisoners in another county. Many of these are drug related. If not for drugs then for some theft to get money to pay for drugs. It has an effect on all of society. Good post.
Drugs and many, many other self centered behaviors. But, it's not their fault; they are victims.
I'm beginning to notice a pattern. Choices have consequences no matter how much one whines, cries and does the rubber legs routine - as an a child or an adult.
Good post! I have 3 teenagers and one of my biggest fears is them getting mixed up with drugs. I feel I've been a good parent (I pray I have!) but the world out there can be hard. Peer pressure is tough. I talk with them, I love them, I pray for them. That's all I can do.
Yes, those that bring it to our children should be dealt with harshly.
Sadly, i know first hand what drugs and or alcohol can do. My brother was a long standing alcoholic and didn't even try to get serious help. He died the day after christmas two years ago. Before he did though, he managed to destroy a family. I have sisters who won't talk to one another his ex wife and children don't have any contact with my mother, his own children didn't even go to his funeral. I wasn't speaking to him, I always say, the brother I knew was gone to me 5 years previous to his death. My relationship with my parents was strained right up to the day my father passed, all because my brother CHOSE to do drugs, use alcohol, and manipulate EVERYONE around him. SO, I can't understand why people would choose to smuggle things into this country, not to destroy themselves, but those around them.
I am with you, never have tried drugs, not even a cigarette. I went to trade school and graduated 9 years ago. Back then, a friend and me concluded that 17 out of 20 in our class were drug users. Is it just a coinsidence that the 3 of us that didn't do drugs are the most successful today.
I heard that story, too. It is sad how drugs suck people in. I am thankful sometimes that I am not a risk taker. My grandmother told me about people dying from drugs, and that was enough to steer me away from them. It is a great lie of the enemy--that it's cool, that it won't hurt you if you try it once, that lots of people do it everyday and they are fine. I wish people would realize what a huge lie that is! Have a great weekend Rachel!
I used to work with seriously mentally ill children and have seen the impact of drugs too many times. I will always remember a conversation with a mother who had just been informed that marijuana could actually alter the DNA in sperm/eggs. I said, "Now, that's what marijuana can do. Just imagine what harder drugs could do." That was the first time she realized the huge impact her life choices had on her children and she was in total shock. It's been five years since that conversation and I have not seen the family since. I pray that she is making choices based on the lessons she learned that day.
I saw that story on TV yesterday. I kept thinking, "Not little puppies!" Too sad.
A little over a week ago, my husband's cousin was shot in the head and killed over a drug/money dispute. Several years ago the cousin had tried to give up drugs, but apparently he recently got sucked in again. Drugs have been the cause of so much destruction in this country (and worldwide), and it *does* seem to be getting worse. I don't know what the answer is.
I agree.Drug dealers should be dealt with harshly..
Rachel
I saw that story on the news and thought . . . well, I can't tell you what I thought because I have never seen those kind of words on your blog. It is sad what people will do for drug and for money. What is even sadder is the story of the girl you wrote about. So young.
Ralph
Been having terrible trouble with BLOGGER...I put my new post up and it disappears! No comments are being registered, either....And couldn't get on there yesterday for HOURS and HOURS!!
Wondered if you are having any problems, too?
I hope not. It's a bitch!
Blogger was down for a 'couple of hours' yesterday for repairs, from 2 PM PST. It wasn't doing good for a lot longer than that for me.
Mom taught me (1) that marijuana was just something that the gangs in NYC did and (2) the stuff growing wild in the midwest wasn't the good stuff.
So I smoked other kinds of non-hallucinatory weeds. Then in the late 60s I found most of the hemp 'weeds' around Lincoln (Nebraska) had all their tops with seeds cut off.
I might have used it after that but it was illegal. I hope I wouldn't have anyway.
..
No drugs, no cigarettes, and only a sip of alcohol every few years(and only when I was an adult.)
This news tore me up but wasn't new news to me. I have a close relative who is a pharmacist so this is out in the open for discussion. It crushes me that any animal is used for transporting drugs besides people. It is such an awful waste and a statement about our society.
I think the drug problems, trafficing and using, have increased because of the breakdown of family values and the availablity of the instant gratification on so many levels. Kids are also much more independent than when you were growing up. Too many of them have their own cars, own computers, own cell phones, own tv's, at way too young an age, all material possessions that dispense artificial information as opposed to good old-fashioned morals and values. Our society has been becoming increasingly distant, on a fast track and bombarded with so much information for kids to absorb and deal with, as the technology age boomed since the time you were growing up. Kids (and adults) need more face to face interaction, more connecting, more tender loving care, and less things!.
I hope we see a changes for the better in our soiciety within yours and my lifetime. Excellent post.
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