When last we heard from Gen. Barry McCaffrey, the retired four-star was raising serious doubts about stability in Iraq and the Bush Administration’s handling of that war.
Today McCaffrey was in Lakewood to speak at an anniversary celebration for a local drug treatment center and to sound the alarm about prescription drug abuse.
The former head of U.S. Southern Command and later President Clinton’s drug czar from 1996 to 2000, McCaffrey is currently an adjunct professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He’s also a senior adviser for CRC Health Group, which runs a national web of behavior treatment facilities including Tacoma Treatment Solutions in Lakewood. The center celebrated five years in business Monday.
McCaffrey used the words “the new heroin” to describe OxyContin and other frequently used prescription drug opiates. According to the Washington State Attorney General, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in Washington; prescription drug abuse has helped push that number beyond car crash fatalities.
McCaffrey said drug treatment is essential to reduce crime, stabilize jobs and families, and restore lives for millions of users.
Yes but it’s legal. On the other hand that illegal devil weed that doesn’t kill people is again waging a war on all the poor bags of cheetos. That darn stuff.
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While it is wonderful to have treatment centers to help people suffering from addictions, the not so wonderful part is the ‘treatment’ boom resulting from the effects of marijuana prohibition when people are forced into treatment when it is unneeded and unnecessary.
For more details, see today’s article at NORML .org, “Marijuana Arrests Continue To Drive Drug ‘Treatment’ Boom.”
Rather than being in need of treatment, many “are ordinary Americans who have experienced the misfortune of being busted for marijuana who are forced to choose between rehab or jail.”
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Pills are for stupid people plain and simple. I have very bad pain in all my bones and I take nothing but the good stuff GOD “put on earth for man to use”. A few tokes of my Volcano or a cookie and the pain is a lot less. Pills are for the weak minded who do want reality in their life.
We need to jail a few Doctors for being drug pushers for big Pharm.
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And what does General Barry know about drugs and addictions, except being a paid shill for for CRC Health Group ?
“Just Say No”, Barry !
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This guy (McCaffery) is a self-promoting blowhard who really know snoting and has accoomplished even less.
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Read his bio and change your mind! After thirty years, he is still working, but in the civilian sector. Puget Sound Hospital has a program, but I didn’t know of the new Tacoma Solutions Treatment Center in Lakewood.
Don’t forget drug treatment also includes alcohol abuse, not just other drugs. Those hooked on illegal drugs often steal and commit other crimes to provide for their habits.
There was also a civilian doctor recently arrested in Seattle on many counts of providing RX: drugs to addicted people.
The military does have both outpatient and hospital inpatient care treatment centers, however it’s desirable to have treatment before there is trouble with the law.
The judges now have ‘drug court’ and some offenders can be granted or opt for a one time deferred sentence if they cooperate and complete the drug program, such as after a DWI.
There is also a program for minors associated with or near a Puyallup Hospital which takes about a year.and the judge has the final wordl
People with prior military service can participate through the VA program for treatment on a voluntary basis. Family and friends are often invited to help or attend some meetings with any program if they know a person in care.
Seek some outside help if you have a drinking teen or are living with another drug affected person.
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