misanthropy creation: Rhode Island

September 11, 2014

Narcan without prescription to counter opiate overdoes...

This is the snarky journalist side of me. Please excuse my rant, but by all means, read on!

According to the Providence Sunday Journal "CVS Pharmacy announced that it would offer the opiate antidote Narcan without a prescription at all of its 60 pharmacies in Rhode Island by the end of the month". This drug restores breathing during the overdose of opiates like OxyContin and heroin and will be available in nasal spray and injection form.

English: Naloxone HCl preparation, pre-filled Luer-Jet package for intravenous administration. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Apparently in Rhode Island overdosing on drugs has become "one of the most devasting public epidemics to hit" according to the article which you can read here.

I think we can all admit the issue here is that people are taking prescription drugs and becoming addicted to them. Regardless of where these Rx drugs are coming from, my belief is that the root of the problem here is that these drugs are easily obtainable and once you pop the proverbially "fun don't stop". Until your organs shut down and you die.

It is my understanding that the injection or spray is something one can carry with them in case of emergency. Obviously attempts at purchasing to administer in an emergency situation could be fatal. My question is, when was the last time you were walking down the street or in the mall and thought Well damn, I think that person on the ground with lack of breath is ODing on opiates, let me grab my handy dandy nasal spray! Oh shit it's in my other purse...

It doesn't happen!

A clandestine kit containing materials to inject illicit drugs. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What I don't understand is how the availability of Narcan in the public sector will deter anyone from taking Rx drugs in the first place. That is because the answer is that it won't. What it will do is enable addicts to stay addicted or give them sufficient reasoning to take even more addictive drugs. Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that Narcan is not useful, but I do not think that this should be sold over the counter. Cops, paramedics, social workers, hospitals and even school teachers should have this on hand if opiate overdoes is a problem in schools as well. There is a whole slew of individuals that could benefit others by carrying this. One of the people NOT on that list is the addict themselves.

Now you are thinking... Well what about parents? Shouldn't they have access to Narcan in case their child ODs?

In short, NO! If you are a parent and have the smallest inkling of suspicion that your child is taking drugs to where that suspicion leads you out to purchase this antidote then you need to:

1. Talk to your children.

2. Find them the much needed help they need.

English: CVS/pharmacy on Garrett Road in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My reasoning is this: fight addiction at the root of the problem. If Narcan has the slightest chance of enabling someone to do drugs or do more drugs when available to the public than why invest in it at all? There are more beneficial ways in assisting with addiction issues in the community then making something like this available if the mission of CVS is to help individuals with addition issues then they should work with the state and organize their own treatment centers. These centers would be more beneficial because they could provide medical assistance to addicts, help them through the detox process, give them counseling, education and job placement.

In summation, there are much more beneficial ways in assisting with addiction issues in the community then making something like Narcan available. The issue of addiction centers around neglect and drug addiction wont be solved by giving people access to more drugs to counter act the ones they took in the first place. These people need help to get clean, get educated and join the labor force.

September 16, 2009

Have you seen my DIY Coffee Table?

My best friend Samantha from Rhode Island (who lives in Port St. Lucie) came for her regular birthday visit we make every year so we can see each other. Together we set off on the task of decorating my coffee table.

I am a cutter. By cutter I mean that if I see something that tickles my fancy in a magazine or else where I CUT - IT - OUT like Uncle Joey. The pictures you see here were accumulated after years of clipping!

Top View:

I inherited the coffee table from a family friend while helping him and his boyfriend move. Samantha and I laid out the pictures how we wanted them. We kept circling each other until the entire surface area was full. Then came the Mod Podge! We poured it on to the table liberally and spread it out with sponge brushes. We waited until it dried. Then we moved on to the Epoxy!

Close ups:

You can find clear drying Epoxy at any craft store. There are two chems you mix together and quickly pour that will harden like you see in the pictures. Luckily for me the table already had a lip or edge because if it didn't I would have probably had to make my own with painters tape or duct tape.

Over all I think the table came out really great. The best thing about this table is the fact that I can always change it. There is still room for another layer of pictures and Epoxy if I should choose to change it!

I really tried to incorporate my personality into the table. It shows all the things that I love. The things that make me feel nostalgic and all the things that I am interested.

This is the most massive collage I have ever made. It is also the biggest cooperative project I have ever made before! Making this table with my best friend Samantha is one of my fondest memories of her and the best thing about the table is that I will have it forever!