Pubdate: Sat, 26 Aug 2006
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Lillian Ramsden
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

ADDICTS, MENTALLY ILL BOTH DESERVE HELP

I must respond to the article "Nowhere else to send addicts" Aug. 24. 
The writer and the psychiatrist quoted both reveal a negative bias 
toward persons with addictions, whether that was their intention or 
not. The writer's opening sentence is particularly revealing: "Strung 
out on cocaine or crystal meth, they pile up in the comfortable 
waiting room chairs." Would it be more acceptable if the chairs were 
not comfortable? I think statements like this indicate an 
"us-versus-them" mentality, those that are worthy of the help they 
seek and those that are not.

I also find it troubling that psychiatrists feel they aren't 
qualified to deal with these patients' addictions. My understanding 
is that addiction is a recognized psychiatric diagnosis. Statistics 
suggest that approximately 80 per cent of people with mental illness 
have some kind of co-occurring addiction.There is no "us." There is 
no "them." There are only people needing help.

Lillian Ramsden,

Comox.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman