This election has been very eye-opening for me. Before this election I was not a part of politics at all, not only because I was not of voting age, but also because I simply had no interest in the subject. Through my college experience and this blog, I have been able to develop my own views and become opinionated as well as informed about issues in today's politics.
Throughout this blog project I have immersed myself into the political world, reading classmates blogs along with checking up on the news (reading the newspaper and paying attention to what it going on around me). Now that I have become more informed and educated on issues I feel more a part of society and the voting population. This election has definitely played a bigger role in my life than any past election, and is an exciting thought for new beginnings. Whether the candidate of my choice one or not doesn't change the fact that I have grown in my citizenship and am excited to learn what will happen next!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Insurance Coverage of Treatment
I recently heard a story of a 19 year old teen who is struggling through addiction because his family doesn't have enough money for treatment, and his insurance company claimed "he wasn't severe enough for in-patient rehab." From the story I received, he was actually in dire need of help at such a crucial time in his life. So, this led me to the question of what role insurance plays in treatment. I discovered a few things on some treatment cites including the need for a facility to prove everyday that the patient still needs care and that chances of coverage become slimmer if the person is not responding. These strict regulations are kind of scary when concerning someone's health and well-being.
I also came across the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 which "forces insurers to pay more for substance abuse and mental health-related problems." This will help people that have an insurance policy with benefits regarding treatments. But addiction and especially mental illness is very difficult to diagnose as a disease which makes it less likely to be insured on treatments for them. At the same time, many people don't predict a need for rehab/treatment when searching for an insurance policy, so what could guarantee that the people in need are the ones with these benefits. At least this Act is making progress towards helping those suffering from addiction or mental illness financially, but more can be done.
I also came across the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 which "forces insurers to pay more for substance abuse and mental health-related problems." This will help people that have an insurance policy with benefits regarding treatments. But addiction and especially mental illness is very difficult to diagnose as a disease which makes it less likely to be insured on treatments for them. At the same time, many people don't predict a need for rehab/treatment when searching for an insurance policy, so what could guarantee that the people in need are the ones with these benefits. At least this Act is making progress towards helping those suffering from addiction or mental illness financially, but more can be done.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Punishment?
It is argued that prison is necessary over rehabilitation because punishment is essential to change people's ways and to create fear of disobeying the law. However, is rehab not punishment as well?? If someone is addicted to drugs, having to endure rehab can be excruciating as well. For instance, Amy Winehouse's husband was offered release from jail that would result in him immediately being emitted into a rehab facility. He declined this offer twice. It's hard to say why he continued to refuse rehab, however, many drug addicts don't like to face reality. The reality is that he needs help and a drug addicts mind is not willing to accept that fact. Often, they would rather be treated like a law offender rather than someone with a mental illness (categorized by their addiction).
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Drug Testing
It gave me great reassurance to come across one of George W. Bush's progressions in the Drug War. He explained that he was giving $23 million to willing high schools to have random drug testing. He also pointed out that this would ensure that those individuals could get counseling or treatment to make sure that their possible one time usage doesn't turn into anything more. I think this is a great way to protect our youth from drugs and lifestyles that could have a great impact on their futures.
I also am an advocate of NCAA drug testing of athletes. Not only does this policy ensure that no one gets an unfair advantage but it also ensures that the athletes are focused and not using any other harmful illegal drugs (such as marijuana or hallucinogens). These kind of drugs can be career enders and therefore it is beneficial that these rules are enforced.
Drug testing is a lot less common among the work place because of many regulations that must be considered. However, it could be beneficial to increase the drug testing amount many professions and offer treatment/counseling for those tested positive.
I also am an advocate of NCAA drug testing of athletes. Not only does this policy ensure that no one gets an unfair advantage but it also ensures that the athletes are focused and not using any other harmful illegal drugs (such as marijuana or hallucinogens). These kind of drugs can be career enders and therefore it is beneficial that these rules are enforced.
Drug testing is a lot less common among the work place because of many regulations that must be considered. However, it could be beneficial to increase the drug testing amount many professions and offer treatment/counseling for those tested positive.
Stance on Marijuanna (McCain)
When asked about the decriminalization of marijuana, McCain replies "I can't support the legalization of marijuana. Scientific evidence indicates that the moment that it enters your body, one, it does damage, second, it can become addictive." These myths are largely assumed by the population because of the way society looks down on marijuana. However, marijuana is better for you than tobacco and is one of the least addictive drugs out there. At the same time, it effects performance and is still abused by many people because it has become so popular. If marijuana is legalized, the peer pressure and numbers of youth trying the drug are likely to increase because it it will not frowned upon as much being a legal drug, such as alcohol. Another way of looking at legalization is a decrease in violence and the ruining of innocent lives because of possession, a minor offense. However, the many lives of children and family members must be considered when promoting such a drug. Marijuana affects your state of mind and can cause serious neglect of children or work and/or financial problems. Also, though being caught with marijuana cant result in jail time that may effect your future, marijuana use in general can mirror these same effects. Legalization of marijuana is seemingly not beneficial to society, however, possibly different punishment for marijuana related offenses could be beneficial.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Education
I think not only do our youth need to be educated on the bad effects of drugs, but adults and families need to be educated on how they can help and seek treatment for their loved ones. I feel that many people don't do anything about their family member's addiction because they don't know what to do if that person refuses treatment.
The Marchment Act of Florida says that if any one family member files a petition that the abuser is a danger to their self or others, then that person is emitted into a rehab center for up to 5 days. And after 5 days, if the individual still refuses to stay on their own freewill, the Act can be renewed. I am still searching for Acts like this in other places around the country, but I feel confident that many states have an Act similar to this one. It is just a shame that many people do not know about them. The education of the people is a very important factor when fighting this Drug War. I did find a very helpful website for families and info on treatment and what to do at www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/treatmeth.html. It is important for websites like these to be available to families in need of help and answers.
The Marchment Act of Florida says that if any one family member files a petition that the abuser is a danger to their self or others, then that person is emitted into a rehab center for up to 5 days. And after 5 days, if the individual still refuses to stay on their own freewill, the Act can be renewed. I am still searching for Acts like this in other places around the country, but I feel confident that many states have an Act similar to this one. It is just a shame that many people do not know about them. The education of the people is a very important factor when fighting this Drug War. I did find a very helpful website for families and info on treatment and what to do at www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/treatmeth.html. It is important for websites like these to be available to families in need of help and answers.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Widened View
Originally, I approached this issue very closed minded. Searching for all the evidence that backed up my opinion and not really taking into consideration the other side, but fighting it. Though my stance on the issue remains the same, my eyes have widened a great deal since I started researching the Drug War.
To begin with, I focused largely on major drug dealers/foreign affairs and drug prevention and regulation efforts. I feel strongly that drugs should be controlled and their use should be decreased. To back up my view point I found many shocking polls and statistics. For instance, a nationwide poll found that 1 in 5 adults have an immediate family member that was, at some point, addicted to drugs/alcohol. Along with these facts, I came across many stories of how drug abuse has ruined and affected so many families. It was also important to me to show readers that this drug problem isn't solely within the U.S. Drug trafficking is prominent throughout our bordering countries such as Mexico and Columbia. It was shocking to me that we are not controlling this distribution of drugs and that these major drug dealers aren't being busted. Through more research on the issue I have discovered that efforts are being made, but we first need regulation of enforcement systems and organizations in order to make the process effective. I continued my foreign affairs quest and took interest in Puerto Rico, a territory of the U.S that is largely neglected. Puerto Rico has the highest crime rates throughout the U.S along with highest rate of unemployment. I believe that the U.S government should take responsibility for this deterioration.
I also found both positive Drug War efforts and negative ones. I originally simply focused on the negative ones, and why they were negative. However, I have realized that many of these deregulations are in order to benefit our nation in another way. Therefore, these efforts are not made just because our government doesn't care about the effects of drugs and addiction. I do still believe that more positive efforts need to be taken though, but maybe in different ways.
Now, as I proceed to look for cures of our nation's drug problem my primary focus is not how we can eliminate the presence of drugs (though this is still a concern of mine), but how we can help those addicted and affected by them. I have altered my efforts in enforcing treatments and rehab centers along with education. Programs such as The Watershed Addiction Treatment help people that have suffer from drug addiction. The presence of programs such as this around the nation can help many families and individuals. Also, regarding drug offenses resulting in imprisonment, I believe programs such as Our Place should be enforced. Our Place is a program in D.C to help incarcerated women return and reconnect with society when released. More specifically, I think that rehab centers within jailing systems would greatly decrease the amount of prisoners who return to drug abuse or crime when released. Therefore, rehab should most definitely be an option when enforcing regulation and prevention.
I have discovered that it is essential to look at all sides of an issue before taking a direct stance, because though my views seemed in every way right to me, they can be impossible to carry out at the same time. There are many factors in initiating change, and many steps must be taken (in the right order) to ensure that change.
To begin with, I focused largely on major drug dealers/foreign affairs and drug prevention and regulation efforts. I feel strongly that drugs should be controlled and their use should be decreased. To back up my view point I found many shocking polls and statistics. For instance, a nationwide poll found that 1 in 5 adults have an immediate family member that was, at some point, addicted to drugs/alcohol. Along with these facts, I came across many stories of how drug abuse has ruined and affected so many families. It was also important to me to show readers that this drug problem isn't solely within the U.S. Drug trafficking is prominent throughout our bordering countries such as Mexico and Columbia. It was shocking to me that we are not controlling this distribution of drugs and that these major drug dealers aren't being busted. Through more research on the issue I have discovered that efforts are being made, but we first need regulation of enforcement systems and organizations in order to make the process effective. I continued my foreign affairs quest and took interest in Puerto Rico, a territory of the U.S that is largely neglected. Puerto Rico has the highest crime rates throughout the U.S along with highest rate of unemployment. I believe that the U.S government should take responsibility for this deterioration.
I also found both positive Drug War efforts and negative ones. I originally simply focused on the negative ones, and why they were negative. However, I have realized that many of these deregulations are in order to benefit our nation in another way. Therefore, these efforts are not made just because our government doesn't care about the effects of drugs and addiction. I do still believe that more positive efforts need to be taken though, but maybe in different ways.
Now, as I proceed to look for cures of our nation's drug problem my primary focus is not how we can eliminate the presence of drugs (though this is still a concern of mine), but how we can help those addicted and affected by them. I have altered my efforts in enforcing treatments and rehab centers along with education. Programs such as The Watershed Addiction Treatment help people that have suffer from drug addiction. The presence of programs such as this around the nation can help many families and individuals. Also, regarding drug offenses resulting in imprisonment, I believe programs such as Our Place should be enforced. Our Place is a program in D.C to help incarcerated women return and reconnect with society when released. More specifically, I think that rehab centers within jailing systems would greatly decrease the amount of prisoners who return to drug abuse or crime when released. Therefore, rehab should most definitely be an option when enforcing regulation and prevention.
I have discovered that it is essential to look at all sides of an issue before taking a direct stance, because though my views seemed in every way right to me, they can be impossible to carry out at the same time. There are many factors in initiating change, and many steps must be taken (in the right order) to ensure that change.
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