Here is a Narconon reflection – written by someone who was abusing alcohol – but written for anyone who is abusing any drug. Whether it is oycontin, adderall, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine or any drug of abuse, the Narconon program is here to help you.
“Today in class I learned that pinpointing my problem and releasing my energy on it – I can let the thought pass. I think a problem is a kind of blemish to my well being and healthy life style – a blemish that can vanish with the right medicine. The medicine is how I handle situations – and I can handle them the right way from now on, from what I have learned.
The medicine is also in my action and thoughts. I will use my mind and strength to touch and get what I want. It is my choice, now that I know right from wrong.
I am a stronger individual today.
This can also apply to unhealthy relationships, friendships and disagreements.
I believe that sometimes it is just better to let things go and avoid trouble in my life.”
Simple realizations like this can take the course of someone’s life and move it in a different direction.
There is a movement to legalize marijuana and the debate is underway.
Supporters of legalization efforts liken marijuana laws to prohibition of alcohol, citing the advance of criminal distribution networks across the country.
There is also the belief that for years, marijuana has been demonized and made out to be the root cause of all addiction while it has no detrimental effects.
This last belief could not be further from the truth for many who have worked in the field of drug treatment, most of who have treated persons for marijuana abuse. The argument is that legalization will do nothing for those who are already addicted.
Whether marijuana is legalized or not, it is important to remember that it is first and foremost a drug with psychoactive chemicals. While there may be some arguments for legalization in order to focus on more harmful drugs, pretending that marijuana has no ill effects is not the answer.
No matter the legal status, anyone who is abusing marijuana recreationally is at risk. Effective drug treatment for those already using it is the answer.
For those who aren’t effective drug education will help them say NO, no matter who the vendor.
Narconon of Georgia is a non-traditional drug abuse treatment program which was founded in 1967 whose mission also includes drug education and working with children. The Narconon program provides body detoxification through a sauna and exercise program that helps eliminate or reduce cravings. Then the client learns those life skills essential to success in life and the ability to stay clean.
Intense marketing and a resultant 150% rise in the numbers of prescriptions written has resulted in a growing number of people addicted to prescription drugs.
In a recent press conference Joseph A. Califano Jr., the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University’s director and president said:
“Aggressive marketing of controlled drugs to physicians . . . is designed to increase profits with little regard for abuse potential, Our nation is in the throes of an epidemic of controlled prescription drug abuse and addiction.”
The ease by which many Americans can get a prescription for powerful pain medications and psychiatric drugs is alarming.
Drug seekers are people that are trying to get high. They will say or do almost anything to get what they want. Health care professionals who are just trying to help are unfortunately easy prey for these individuals.
Very few physicians receive any training in spotting drug seeking behavior. Pharmacists report more training but it is not they that actually write the prescriptions.
More than 15 million Americans abuse controlled substances—double the amount from a decade ago, according to a report issued by CASA. This represents a clear problem for America because there is virtually no increase in drug treatment available.
Califano said, “I am disturbed that more than 28 percent of pharmacists say they fail to regularly validate the prescribing physician’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number when dispensing controlled substances. Today more people are abusing controlled-prescription drugs than the combined number who abuse cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, and heroin.”
Without educating pharmacists and physicians who prescribe these drugs on the signs for potential abuse, drug companies are guilty of criminal negligence.
Unless there is a dramatic increase in the availability of drug treatment for those already addicted, the epidemic will only increase.
History will view this era as a dark age – if civilization exists long enough to move into a more enlightened age.
Who would have known that a fifteen year old prankster, whose antics cost him thirty years in the St. Cloud Reformatory in Minneapolis, would later get a role in a major motion picture and eventually become a spokesperson for an international drug treatment program?
That is exactly what happened to Minnesota born and raised Gordon Weinand, who still describes himself in earlier days as “a full fledged rebel on the loose.”
Born in 1939 to a working class family, Gordy’s hopes of becoming a major league baseball player were cut short when he was sentenced as a juvenile to 30 years on a number of charges.
After seven years at the St. Cloud Reformatory, he was transferred to the Stillwater State prison for two more years. In prison Gordy was reformed from teenage prankster into an adult drug abuser with distaste for the law. He learned to abuse and sell drugs in the prison.
In 1966, Gordy moved to Arizona to start a new life, but old habits are hard to break and his “new life” became more of the same – dealing and using drugs.
He soon was on the wrong side of bars again when a “friend” dropped some things over to Gordy’s apartment for safekeeping. These items turned out to have been stolen and the next morning Gordy was arrested for third degree burglary and sentenced to the Arizona State Prison. Gordy remarks about this arrest, “Believe it or not, this is when my life started changing for the better.”
One day, working on his assigned duties in the prison cannery, Gordy met an individual named Willie Benitez and his life changed forever. Willie had been in and out of prison himself a few times for heroin possession – he had been a heroin addict for eighteen years. This go around, Willie decided that he was going to overcome his addiction by concentrating on his abilities. He helped others to do the same by starting a program in the prison. That day he invited Gordy to a Narcononmeeting.
Gordy went to his first Narconon meeting really to get out of his cell one night a week. By the third meeting he began to notice that he was feeling better about himself and shedding himself of old attitudes. The communication training and lectures helped him to realize that he was NOT powerless and was more than a stupid juvenile as he had been told. Gordy describes this as the time in his life when he took control and began to create a new life for himself.
After Gordy was in prison for six months, Paramount Studios came to film the movie Riot, right in the Arizona State Prison. Gordy got a part in the film and was paid $4000.00, which he was able to take with him when he left prison.
After prison, Willie and Gordy worked together to expand Narconon, funding their endeavor by installing carpets. Within a few years, Narconon expanded into many cities and countries. (It is in 44 countries today). Willie became the international spokesperson for Narconon. When he died in 1999, the torch was passed to Gordy and he continues to this day to spread a drug free message.
His 40 years clean time, his long marriage and 3 beautiful daughters are testament to the fact that no matter the circumstances, anyone’s life can change for the better.
Gordy now works full time as a full time Narconon staff member in Georgia and still invites drug addicts and their families to call him personally with their difficulties.
When asked to sum up his story, it is simply put, “I have been drug-free for 40 years. I am devoted to helping to others have the success I have had.”
Anyone can email Gordon personally at gordonweinand@yahoo.com or see his video on drugsno.com. Whether you are abusing cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine or pot – Gordy will talk to them.
