Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Electric Monk

(13,869 posts)
Thu Oct 29, 2015, 12:44 PM Oct 2015

West Virginia man calls 911 and turns over drug hoard after hearing president’s speech on addiction

(cross-posted from GD)

President Barack Obama visited West Virginia last week to address the state’s epidemic drug addiction — and one man was so inspired he called 911 and turned over a substantial collection of drugs.

Obama spoke Oct. 21 about reducing the demand for opioids, including heroin and prescription painkillers, at a community center in Charleston, where he met with parents and others whose loved ones have battled addiction.

A man from nearby Cross Lanes repeatedly called 911 that same day and asked for help with his drug addiction before dispatchers finally sent Kanawha County sheriff’s deputies to his home.

He placed his hands on the wall when deputies arrived, and he told them that he had watched TV coverage of the president’s speech and asked for help.

The man, whose name was not released, told deputies he was a heavy drug user but hoped to “live a drug-free life for his mother” after watching Obama’s speech, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

He showed deputies a cooler where he kept a set of digital scales, 16 Suboxone packs and patches, marijuana, 19 grams of ecstasy and more than 150 pain pills.

The deputies seized the drugs and took them to an evidence technician for disposal, the sheriff’s office said.

No criminal charges were filed against the man , who is in his mid-30s, and deputies took him to a treatment center, where he voluntarily entered a drug addiction rehabilitation program.

“We applaud this person’s self-initiated efforts and wish him well in his recovery,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

more
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/10/west-virginia-man-calls-911-and-turns-over-drug-hoard-after-hearing-presidents-speech-on-addiction/


58 recs and counting, with many interesting replies http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027298632
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
West Virginia man calls 911 and turns over drug hoard after hearing president’s speech on addiction (Original Post) Electric Monk Oct 2015 OP
Good on him Old Codger Oct 2015 #1
I agree completly with Old Codger. Stuart G Nov 2015 #2
 

Old Codger

(4,205 posts)
1. Good on him
Thu Oct 29, 2015, 12:55 PM
Oct 2015

I have always said that the largest failing of the so called "war" on drugs was the lack of treatment centers, in almost all cases anyone who has the desire to quit whichever drug of choice they use needs to be able to get into a treatment center right now, not next week or next month but right now. Even a short delay will weaken the desire to quit. So they did the right thing , no charges and get him a shot at the help he needs.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Addiction & Recovery»West Virginia man calls 9...