Jim is a heroin addict and was last on a treatment program about a year ago. He has,he says, been calling to get back on. I didn't believe him at first because I figured anyone could get drug treatment. That didn't turn out to be the case. Yesterday he called and said he could get on the program in Camden. (There is one in Mt Holly and one in Blackwood too, according to someone I spoke to at the center when I called to check out Jim's story.) Jim said they only took new people 2 times a week and it would cost $215 for him to get on, then $45 a week for 'maintenance'. I didn't believe Jim when he told me about the waiting, but the center verified it. They also said he would have to be there by 5:30 or 6am because they only took the first 5 new people. I told him I would take him down and loan him the $215 to get on the program. The telephone number for the program is 856-757-9190.
We got there at 5:30am and there were a lot of people there. He said they were probably there for 'maintenance' (ie methadone). (Methadone is a physically addictive drug too, but it is legal and doesn't make you high.) When Jim got to the door there were already 6 names on the list, but we waited in hopes that they would take him anyway. At 8am we got the answer. Come back on Thrursay and try again. That makes me angry but I'll be back there with him.
After I got back I called Assemblyman Greenwald's office for information. I talked to a lady named Pat (She had heard of the methadone program but didn't know anything about it.) She said she would investigate and get back to me. If she does, and I an still angry enough, I'll let you know what happens.
There must be a reason why billions of dollars are spent on drug enforcement while there are people who want treatment that is not available. I'm sure this will all make sense when I have the facts.
When I dropped Jim off he asked to borrow $20. I guess he needs it for food and rent.
5-9-2000 11am
Pat called from the Assemblyman's office. She had contacted the
treatment center. She somehow thought that Jim was my employee. He is not-he
is just someone that needs help. She seemed to think that I objected to
the 5 person limit that the treatment center had. In fact, my objection
is only to the 5 person limit indirectly. I object to the fact that funding
is so limited that the facility can only handle 5 people. She said something
about federal funding and state funding and will get back to me with more
detail. I'll keep you posted.
5-11-2000
5:00am I took Jim back to the drug center on Broadway again this
morning. We got there a half hour earlier than we did on Tuesday to be
sure he would be in the first 5. We were too late. When we got there 7
people were already waiting for 'intake'. Jim was number 8. We stayed anyway
but some people that came later knew it was hopeless and left. The lady
that was first on the list said she came at 11pm last night (I think she
slept in her car). Another got there at 3am.
By the time they opened the door at 6am there were about 25 people
waiting for 'maintenance'. (Oh, by the way, if you want to know what a
drug addict looks like - look in the mirror or at your best friend or closest
relative.)
After they took the first 5 people we stayed about 5 minutes
and talked to the others about the problems in getting in and the 5 person
limit. I said it wasn't right. The man behind the counter said to me very
sharply to stop it 'they don't need to hear that', and he said if we wanted
to talk about it to go outside. (I am thinking that they are upset that
I called Assemblyman Greenwald's office.) I asked his name and how to spell
it. His name is Nyrik.
I'll be back again with Jim on Tuesday. We'll try to be there at
4:30am. -I'll let you know what happens.-
When I dropped Jim off he asked to borrow $20.He also asked if I
knew anyone who needed painting done. I don't. I guess he needs money for
food and rent.
3:50am 5-16-2000 I picked Jim up and took him to the Substance Abuse Center of Southern Jersey Inc again. We wanted to be there by 4am to be sure of getting in the first 5. He was the first one there. By 4:20 4 more had arrived. One girl had a paper to make a list.She handed it to Jim because he got there first and he put his name on top and the others followed. 1,2,3,4,5. Most of those who came later left because they knew they were to late. I left at 6:30 after handing Jim a money order for $215 made out to SAC. The man at the counter said "Rick" would be there at 8am. He didn't want to commit to a time Jim would finish the intake process but others there said he would be there till at least 9:30. I told Jim I would come back around 8:30 and wait for him. It is almost 8am now -
8:45... I just got back to the center and Jim in with someone for intake. Over the next 45 minutes he finished that (including trying to resolve a problem with a back balance they said he owed from the last time he was on the program. They told him it was about $1700. but he claimed he worked that off by painting the center and didn't update their computer. They finally settled it that he owes $600 and he is to pay it at $5 per week in addition to the $45 he has to pay for 'maintenance'. He then went to the nurse to have temp taken and blood taken. He finished at 9:30am and I took him home. He doesn't get medication till tomorrow after he sees a doctor at 8am. When I droped him off he asked for $20 to hold him over. I am anxious to see how he makes out on the program.
5-17-2000 Jim called at 8:30am. He just got back from the center where he said the doctor and got medication. He said he'll be in a 21 day detox. He said he has never known anyone to get off heroin and methadone in the 21 day detox. The methadone he said will make it so that if he were to use heroin he would not get high. He has been on and off the program for years. I asked him why he never got off the methadone and he said he knew if he did he would end up back on heroin because everyone he knows is involved. He wants to get his drivers license back (he has fines to pay), so he can work more and maybe move to an area that won't tempt him so much if he get off methadone. Jim asked if I had any painting jobs he could do. I had a small job that I gave him for $50. It is hard to find contractors for small jobs and and Jim will do them for a reasonable price. He could make good money in the painting business if he could get his life in order.
I expect he will call me again tomorrow after he gets his methadone.
I wonder if he'll ever get off it but $45/week is a lot less that $50 a
day.
5-18-2000 10:30 Jim just got back from the center. He has to go every
morning now. It is open for 'medication' from 6am to 11am. He has been
getting some small day jobs. (It's not easy being a self employed painter
without a car). He asked if I needed any painting done and I gave him another
small job. He showed me a PRUDY paint brush that he bought yesterday at
Home Depot. He said a neighbor took him out there. Last week there is no
way he would have had money to buy a paint brush. It seems like a small
thing but being able to buy his tools is important. He is taking one day
at a time.
I still have not heard back from Pat at Greenwald's office. I'll
try to call her before I give up on the idea.
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