Taking mock compassion too far.

[poddster]

Ok we have had the "Poor Illegal Refugee" the "Poor Dole Bludger" the "Poor whatever" thread so now what about the "Poor Self Inflicted Addict" thread.

We may as well add them to the taxpayers  burden as well. We can cater for their "special needs" out of the bottomless pit of our national debt.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

lionrose, I must be tired also, I thought you meant mock compassion.

[chameleon54]

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@poddster wrote:

The convenient fact remains, Nova, regardless of the symptoms and clinical definitions, addiction is a self inflicted state.

Addicts have placed themselves in that state by choice and I have no compassion for those who have self inflicted stupidity.

The results of addiction are common knowledge known to all and yet ignored.

---

Poddy, I agree with a fair few of the things you say, but cant go along with this one sorry. I know a few drug addicts and in all cases they have had serious problems before they have started using drugs.

I was in a band with a mate years ago. He was a sharp, funny, talented man who came from a very poor migrant family. . His wife died at a young age. He was unemployed. Bored witless. He got into heroin, hocked everything he owned, commited crimes and got locked up for eight years. Now, he has lost all of his teeth and is brain damaged. Its such a waste of a talented, intelligent man.

Call it compassion if you like. It just breaks my heart to see him now.

One of the teenagers with mental health problems that I have mentioned in posts before, has recently got into a serious dope habit. His two older brothers are in jail, but this young man was showing a lot of promise. One of the brothers was out on probation with an ankle strap for home detention. HE WAS DEALING IN DRUGS FROM HOME WHILE OUT ON BAIL !!!!  His mum was genuinly trying her absolute best to bring the youngest son up the right way. If he did the wrong thing he was grounded for days. He had a part time after school job. He was / is very intelligent and just a nice kid. BUT like a lot of his teenage friends he,s bored and has been influenced by his older brothers. Over the last few weeks of heavy dope smoking, hes lost all of his mojo. Theres just no drive or initiative there any more. Even his personality has lost its edge.

Call it compassion again, but its just tragic watching a kid with promise ( who looked like he might beat the odds ) fade away before your eyes.

I dont know what the answer is. You can educate till you are blue in the face, but bored teenagers ( and adults ) with no structure to there lives or future pathways ( a sense of hope ) are still going to do drugs.

Our son with mental health problems is at this drugs cross road right now and he has recently tried dope. Quite a few of his friends are either dabbling or hooked on entry level drugs.

We are trying desperatly to give him some home life structure and options for the future. I think having hope for the future is a very important part of the answer. Hes not quite 16, but school just isnt working for him and hes started  skipping lessons. ( something most of his mates do regularly ) He has his first KFC job and this is giving him some self pride and focus. We are working with his school to have him do one days work experience every week. This will give him the opurtunity to try different employment options and find a vocation he likes. We are booking him into vocational short courses to get him some qualifications. Basically GIVING HIM OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE. Its youth ( and adult ) unemployment and the sense of hopelessness that gets many into drugs. 

[poddster]

Every microsecond of every day there are options, in that regard we are like computers, a constant stream of micro decisions.

If the original code was correctly installed from an early age than a kid will have a resistance to addiction and make the correct micro decisions.

If the code is faulty or missing than there is a chance of addiction.

By the way bowing do peer pressure indicates a flaw in the basic code so that is no excuse.

Being supportive is a big step in the right direction but that should not be to such an extent that the one receiving support is dependant on that support. EVERYONE needs to learn to be self supporting and self sufficient.

It is not too hard to do

[i-need-a-martini]

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@poddster wrote:

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@lionrose.7 wrote:

Gee Poddy some men do that with out even being drugged and would still feel sorry for that mans family being related to some one like that.

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How much compassion would you feel for your assailant  as you are being beaten around the head with a cricket bat, Rosie?

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I suspect that any person engaging in that type of behaviour is less likely to be on drugs and more likely to be part taking in that other legal substance that no-one seems to think is all that evil - alchohol.

Or else they are just a violent SOB.

The people most likely to be hurt by a drug addict is themselves.

[lionrose.7]

You can have all of that Poddy and still have no heart

[chameleon54]

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@poddster wrote:

Every microsecond of every day there are options, in that regard we are like computers, a constant stream of micro decisions.

If the original code was correctly installed from an early age than a kid will have a resistance to addiction and make the correct micro decisions.

If the code is faulty or missing than there is a chance of addiction.

By the way bowing do peer pressure indicates a flaw in the basic code so that is no excuse.

Being supportive is a big step in the right direction but that should not be to such an extent that the one receiving support is dependant on that support. EVERYONE needs to learn to be self supporting and self sufficient.

It is not too hard to do

---

I agree that being self supporting is a healthy state for most people. It gives people self esteem and a sense of worth. This is exactly what we are trying to teach our son. Trying to give him the skills to live independently, preferably with a job, if he can hold one down.

Having said that, there are times when many people need social support for a period of time. This includes many new unemployed who need assistance until they get on their own feet or find another job. Older people who paid taxes on the expectation of receiving a pension ( pre superannuation ) are entitled to expect community support. Those with disabilities and genuine serious health problems may need support short or long term.

Many of these people such as new unemployed may only need support for a period of time and should not learn to become dependant permanently on community support. For others such as the old and disabled, community support may be needed permanently. MANY of these people repay societies help through volunteer work on community organisations. I don't see anything wrong with people who cant hold down permanent employment for genuine reasons, receiving social security payments if they contribute to society in other non financial ways. .

[chameleon54]

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@poddster wrote:

If the original code was correctly installed from an early age than a kid will have a resistance to addiction and make the correct micro decisions.

If the code is faulty or missing than there is a chance of addiction.

By the way bowing do peer pressure indicates a flaw in the basic code so that is no excuse.

---

And if the code was NOT correctly installed  ???

[joz*garage]

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@icyfroth wrote:

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@poddster wrote:

What happens when the ones "needing" support exceed the providers?

The trend is that more and more "need" to depend on others for their "needs", they claim that it is their "right"

You are concerned, you better be the time is fast approaching.

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The government should be tackling drug addiction from the other end, from where it begins. Heightened border security and stricter monitoring of suspect money transactions, tougher laws including execution of known drug dealers.

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you may wanna add the alcohol and the tobacco industry to the list and the governments whom benefit  by taxing them

you recmomend that for your grandson too?! good lawd

& what vile thread against the addict

but attitudes ive come to expect from soulless idiots

[polksaladallie]

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@poddster wrote:

Every microsecond of every day there are options, in that regard we are like computers, a constant stream of micro decisions.

If the original code was correctly installed from an early age than a kid will have a resistance to addiction and make the correct micro decisions.

If the code is faulty or missing than there is a chance of addiction.

By the way bowing do peer pressure indicates a flaw in the basic code so that is no excuse.

Being supportive is a big step in the right direction but that should not be to such an extent that the one receiving support is dependant on that support. EVERYONE needs to learn to be self supporting and self sufficient.

It is not too hard to do

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCyYuLQ7_Ws

[***super_nova***]

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@poddster wrote:

I feel vibrant, energetic, enthusiastic and have a positive outlook, I have no addictions, no illnesses, no financial problems, no debts, I do as I please when I please, I have many enjoyable activities, I am never bored, I have no allergies, no aches or pains.

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Yes, and that is why you spend so much of your life hanging around here, right?

That must be great to live like that; pity that you cannot stop for few moments and try to imagine what it is like to feel sick, be in severe pain, have  feelings of total despair because nobody wants to consider you for jobs you are applying for, and therefore have no money for necessities, and no hope for future.