Blog #14 - Eve Ensler

After watching the video clip from our supplemental readings, I am a true fan. Eve Ensler not only brings acknowledgement, support and prayers to women who are suffering, but she brings about change. After all the well wishes and good intentions, change is the one thing that truly makes a difference in this world. She has brought the sad truths for women who have been beaten, burned, mutilated, raped and even murdered to the attention of people who care and who are able to create change for these circumstances. The story of her own sad truth and how helping others allowed her to heal was a true testament to where humanity stems from.

 Her story of  "Mr. Alligator" was touching and inspiring, and the true meaning of the difference it made in her life really hit home for me. I did not suffer to the extent that many girls and women have growing up, but childhood was a very unhappy time for me. All my life and well into my adulthood, I would ask God why he made me the way he did and why I wanted the things I wanted if they were never to be mine. I felt as if my questions and prayers went unanswered until one day, I had children of my own. I knew when they came into the world, being a mother would be the most important job of my life...the one thing I would have to excel at and sacrifice for without resentment. I wanted to be a good parent above all else. As with most children and their parents, both of my kids have recognizable traits of mine, my daughter in particular is so much like me it is sometimes scary. Then one day I realized that I had to go through all of the things that I experienced to understand what my children needed; what would make them happy, successful and kind people. Ever since that day, with each opportunity and joyful experience I can provide for them, I am able to overcome a little more of that sadness and instead appreciate that I am able to recognize the little things I can do that make all the difference in my quest to be a great parent. While I still feel I fall far short of being the "perfect mom", I know I am creating a happier life for my children, and that makes me feel great!

TED Ideas worth spreading. (2004). Talks Eve Ensler: finding happiness body and soul. Retrieved on May 8, 2009 from, http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=e_ensler 

Blog #13 / Is it better to put drug addicts in jail or to send them to mandatory drug treatment programs?

Substance abuse and addiction are complex problems. Many people who find themselves with an addiction are abusing the drug because of a traumatic emotional experience or a physical ailment that caused the initial introduction to the substance. Once an addict reaches a point where they are unable to function properly in society or they are caught with an illegal substance or by committing a misdemeanor, they should receive mandatory treatment from a substance abuse treatment facility.

            However, if the addict chooses not to stay as required or commits a crime that physically or emotionally harms or takes the life of another person, he or she should be incarcerated. While an addiction may impair the judgment of an addict, it does not excuse them from responsibility to society. Drinking and driving for example, an alcoholic may not be able to control him or herself when it comes to drinking, but a person does not have to drive to satisfy the addiction. Unfortunately, there are said to be a number of drugs available within prison walls and the experience of incarceration may cause recovering addicts to relapse when released back into society, so drug treatment should be offered to all inmates upon release for optimal results for ex-convicts and the public that they are released into.

There is an interesting PBS documentary on the Narcotic Farm. This was actually a prison facility and a drug treatment center that was opened in 1935 Lexington, Kentucky. If the prison's scientist had not practiced experimental treatments on inmates and past inmates, we might actually have similar drug treatment prisons today. The experimentation did lead to helpful treatments such as the discovery of how methadone can assist recovering addicts. The facility eventually closed in 1975. (Article Archives, 2009) It is a shame, we were so close to creating a productive solution, but as often happens, corruption set us back.

Supporting drug treatment for prison inmates is the humane thing to do. There are people who have committed unspeakable crimes, but there are also people who just lost their way when trying to deal with the hardships life can present. Remembering that most prisoners are not serving life sentences may remind opposers that someday these people will be among the rest of us and our families. Treating anyone without compassion and understanding will likely result in those people reflecting the same attitudes toward society.

Article Archives. (2008). The narcotic farm: the rise and fall of America's first prison for drug addicts. Retrieved on May 1, 2009 from, http://www.articlearchives.com/crime-law/criminal-offenses-controlled/2298398-1.html