To the Editor:
I am the mother of a heroin addict. Our struggle has been for a long 10 years. No different than most. The time filled with rehab, overdoses, withdrawals, theft, arrests, and accidents all that came as a result of addiction.
I never did the tough love. I couldn’t for fear I would be sending my son to his grave that much sooner.
Instead, I loved him, I supported him and I tried to understand how this wonderful child became demonized by drugs. I knew they were only a small part of who he really was but a huge part in who he had become.
Right now, today he is clean. One of the difficult parts of staying clean is facing the consequences of all their mistakes.
This is very frightening and a huge deterrent. No one, especially not an addict, wants to stare down a black hole of reality.
In 2018, it is said we have turned a corner and finally determined that addiction maybe, not in its earliest form, is really a disease. For an addict who is trying to stay clean, the struggle is hard. Support and help are a far reach away even with this affirmation.
Recently, I discovered one such obstacle on the road to staying drug-free.
If an addict loses his driver’s license due to a court-ordered suspension, the ramifications of this not only impact that individual but impact greatly his support network as well.
Don’t get me wrong, I will do anything to help my son get his life back. I’ll drive him to work, and to his five required meetings. I’ll also take him to his probation appointment for drug testing. I do this because these are all the things that are making it possible for him to stay clean.
The State of New Jersey has no allowance for a temporary work license in effect. Approximately 30 other states do regardless of the availability for public transit. Cape May County’s transportation system does not meet the needs of its residents in any possible way.
When the court imposes their decision do they take into consideration how they are impacting the outcome of success or failure? Do they factor in the lack of systems available to encourage a positive outcome?
Do they consider the burden placed on the family? They are being drug tested, so the possibility of driving under the influence has been removed from the equation.
Why when we admit there is a crisis, when we admit this is a disease, when we admit something drastic needs to be done, why are we not looking at how to positively and completely take the opportunity to do all that is required to make a difference?
This road has been a long one for my son, my family and me and we still have a long way to go.
New Jersey needs a work-license permit. This will take the load off of the support network that deserves it and the addict who needs it to remain successful.
ED. NOTE: Name withheld at author’s request.
Sea Isle City – I would like to let everyone know that the fire chief salary also includes 4% raises in the next four years, while they offered public works and everybody else much less.
