Conference quark::human_relations-v1

523.0. "Drug related situation - what would you do?" by QUARK::HR_MODERATOR () Wed Jun 15 1988 20:24

The following note has been contributed by a member of our community
who wishes to remain anonymous.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
My spouse and I could use a little advise.  I awoke this morning to 
find my brother-in-law on my doorstep.  Allow me to provide a little 
history and detail the current dilemma.

My brother-in-law has had a long history of drug related problems.  
Most notably, cocaine.  This has resulted in his losing his family to 
divorce, losing his job(s) and several arrests.  The arrests involve 
the writing of bad checks to support his habit.  He has been in and 
out of jail and rehabilitation several times but is still having sever 
trouble with his addiction.

He is currently on probation and has to make restitution for the bad 
checks (in another state).  He is not allowed to leave that state 
until a certain amount has been paid back.  This has not yet happened.

Last week he went on a week long binge of cocaine use and writing more 
bad checks to support it.  At the end of the week a 'friend' realized 
that he was burning himself out and needed to "get away" so he drove 
him to my doorstep and dropped him off.

I should note that he is unable to get back into rehabilitation due to 
massive waiting lists (some months long).  He is at a loss and seems 
to feel beaten.  We don't know what to do.  We want to help but don't 
know where to turn.  We have a drug addict and a fugitive from the law 
who is a loved family member.

I am looking for suggestions (not judgment) on what we can and/or 
should be doing.  What services are available (in the souther N.H. 
area) and what may the legal implications be.  I know that none of you 
are lawyers, but maybe you can provide some insight.  How do social 
service organizations function in N.H.?  Will they simply ship him 
back to his home state, or offer help here?  What should we expect in 
the way of withdrawal symptoms and when?  So many questions and not 
enough answers...

Also, this is happening *now*.  Any help that you can supply or 
suggest will be greatly appreciated!

Please help, if you can.
thank you for reading and replying.

    Getting him back to his home state seems like a high priority, in order
    to avoid further parole violation and whatever comes with the
    authorities discovering that. It also gets you out of the problem of
    harboring a fugitive: that won't do anybody any good at all!
    
    What should happen next would seem to depend on his attitude: does he
    want to get out from under? If not, then there is nothing you can do
    (that I know of) expect hope, and stay receptive to a change of heart.
    
    If he does want to get out from under then your questions about what
    help is available are appropriate, and there I simply know nothing.
    Perhaps the authorities in the home state would authorize trips out of
    state to get help. The worst they could do, if asked, is say no. 

    In the front of the Nashua telephone directory is a listing of
    local public service numbers.  Several of them are for drug crisis
    hot lines or organizations; they can probababy answer your
    questions better than we can.  
    
    You can also find help and advice for yourself there.  I think
    there's a local Nar-Anon (families of drug abusers) and I know
    there's Al-Anon (families of alcoholics).  
    
    --bonnie

    Many people have found help in Narcotics Anonymous ... I couldn't
    find a number in the phone book, but a local AA group would know of NA
    groups in the area.

    	AA of Manchester: 668-3326
    	AA of Nashua: 882-2259
    
    - Dave

    There is an 800 number that I have heard advertised on TV.  Call
    800-COCAINE.