Drug Clinic

Today I attended a drug clinic. Not for personal attendance like, for the placement. No really.

Was very interesting actually. Got to learn a lot about drug abuse, methadone use and meet some of the people who attend. To be honest, not what I had expected. People attending not fitting the pre-conceived or commonly reinforced ideas that we/I expect of people who use/abuse heroin.

All of them were very polite, honest and very contrite about their habits. I thanked them for letting me attend and participate. Not one of the people attending refused me an audience, and it was actually quite nice/reassuring - I'm looking for a better word here but I'm tired and have an onset migraine - to see people attending for help, and who keep coming back, even though they might not get it right straight away. Admitting that they have "used" when they have, and putting strategies into place to try and avoid the temptation to use again.

Also disappointing how little support there is in place for people who use drugs other than heroin. Heroin gets you methadone, and a drug clinic place should you need/request it. Cocaine abuse, Crack, Valium abuse, all of these drugs have no methadone equivalent. People are kind of left to get on with it.

Cue discussion about how people choose to take heroin/smoke/drink. Feel free. No doubt I can wade in at some point with my lofty sociology slant learned in uni and on placement.

Overall a good day.