HEROIN

Heroin. The name itself strikes terror into the heart these days. But
originally it was named by the Bayer people from the word heroine. Or
female hero. Why? Because it was so effective in relieving pain and
suffering. If it were legal it would still be one of the most effective
pain relievers in the doctor's arsenal. It was also considered such a
safe and effective medicine that it was available over the counter until
1914.

The story these days with heroin is different. It not only is not
available over the counter, its not available anywhere in America
legally.

So where does this leave us today? We have black markets and addicts.
Black markets of course require police and addicts require treatment.

An interesting study by Dr. Lonny Shavelson looks into the world of the
addicts and their treatment. What do we know? What works? How can
addicts be helped?

First we start out with an unusual point of view. Most addicts are in
pain. This is quite surprising. It surprised me. I thought they were
just in it for the euphoria.

Here is what Dr. Shavelson found in his study of 200 addicts: a high
proportion of severely abused children (beatings, rapes, rapes of
siblings). He questioned his study methodology. He thought there must
have been a flaw in how his sample was selected or in how the questions
he asked were framed.

Then while he was doing his research an article came out in the Journal
of the American Medical Association that said that the addiction rate
goes up for male sexually abused children. And it doesn't just double or
triple. It is 25 to 50 times higher than the rest of the population.
Approximately 70% of the women in drug rehab experienced sexual abuse
before they started on drugs. What is the preferred treatment in America
today for these hurt and humiliated souls? We don't deal with the pain
that made them liable for drug abuse. We ask that before they can be
healed that they heal themselves by giving up drugs. And then we wonder
why rehab for hardcore addicts does not work too well. But how could it
when the treatment does not match the disease.

So the next time the TV expose shows the junkie with the spike in his or
her vein think of what torment that person must be in internally in
order to put them in the place they are in. And all too often our
response to those suffering is to jail them. Barbaric. Or treatment that
deals with symptoms and not causes. Stupid.

Dr. Shavelson has written a book called "Hooked" about his experiences
with addicts. A recent transcript of an interview by NPR with the doctor
is available at: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1120/a03.html

There is another stupid barbarity close to my heart and that is the fact
that E. J. Pagel was sent to prison for trying to relieve the suffering
of others.

So tell Governor Ryan: Free E.J.

Office of the Governor:
217-782-0244 voice; 217-524-4049 FAX; e-mail: governor@state.il.us

Or the Free E.J. www site:
http://sites.netscape.net.ejpagel/freeej .