Re: Substance abuse Survey

[Guest guest]

WEGandy@... wrote:

>

> I'd like to invite as many as possible to write to me detailing their

> thoughts about what the TDH's policies on substance abuse by certified or

> licensed providers should be. I'd like to know what you think Please send

> your replies to wegandy@.... Please do not limit yourselves to yes or no

> answers, but feel free to get your feelings off your chest.

>

> Some of the questions I would like to hear your comments about are:

>

> * What should TDH do to people who admit drug use and ask for help.

If one is competent enough to realize they have a problem and need help

I believe the TDH should allow this person the opportunity to enter a

treatment facility and once they have completed treatment then require

the person to submit to random urine testing for some period of time.

>

> * Should people who admit dependency be treated any differently from

> those who refuse to recognize dependency?

Personally if someone refuses to recognize the problem I would have

them incarcerated in a treatment facility. If someone voluntarily admits

there is a problem they could enter treatment on their own.

>

> * Should chemically dependent people be barred from EMS forever or should

> there be some kind of recognized rehabilitative program leading to eventual

> restoration of privileges?

>

Absolutely NOT.... There should be some sort of rehabilitation program.

This could include having to recertify/ retest after completion of the

program.

> * Should the TDH Bureau of Emergency Management employ a treatment

> approach like the Board of Nurse Examiners and the Board of Medical Examiners

> do?

It seems to work for those agencies, I don't see why it wouldn't work

for EMS.

>

> * Should all persons convicted of chemical abuse be sent to prison?

This is a really gray area for me... I am a believer in the three

strikes your out policy. And while they are incarcerated I would not let

them out before their sentence was finished completely (NO probation or

early release).

> * Should drug users be treated any differently than drug sellers?

Administer the seller with their product for a couple of years then

send them into a program. Otherwise send the user into a program.

>

> * Should addiction be considered to be a disease or criminal conduct?

Definitely a disease...

>

> Please be blunt and honest. That way we all know where we stand.

>

> I have expressed my feelings in a former post and will not post them here so

> as not to prejudice anyone.

>

> Gene Gandy, JD, LP

>

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