THIS PROBLEM GOES BEYOND THE EVIL PHARMA EMPIRE
THE EVIL PHARMA NARRATIVE IS A DISTRACTION FROM THE REAL ISSUES:
Such as APF’s attempt to do an end around and get $10 million for “literature and training”.
Everyone rattled the “Pharma connection”. Who cares if Pharma is involved.
They literally have the audacity to assume they are the designated authority on Recovery.
HOW DO WE DETERMINE AUTHORITY AND EXPERTISE:
There is always the chance that most of what we take as “indisputable fact” is instead “very, very, very disputable”.
I will not blindly follow the herd and accept as true that which may be fundamentally false. This is the case at the macro level.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) immediately comes to mind. They are not reliable and they are deeply corrupt.
They do not produce policy based on objective truth. They do not provide the public with reliable information.
At best they provide incomplete information.
In other words they should say “we aren’t sure but we think this drug may help.
Or at the very least it won’t kill you”… The SSRI farce is just one example.
At worst they are corrupt and willfully deceitful.
Allowing Purdue Pharma to come to market saying opioids are non-addictive is an example. There are clearly people in Purdue’s pocket.
READ IT HERE – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2622774/
More likely legislators with influence over FDA. Probably FDA directly.
IT’S THE ILLUMINATI ???
I’m not saying there is some Alex Jones Illuminati type stuff going on; but if you think our government is pursuing justice and truth you are silly and naive.
And this crony capitalism is not confined to any one party. Sometimes it has nothing to do with political party. It’s the regulatory body itself independent of legislators.
TRUTHS AND NORMS
This false evidence presented as real shows up in all societal institutions.
Religions, legal system/prison system, school system, military and all the other major institutions of society have their own galvanizing indisputable truths. This is what makes the institution function.
Furthermore, from a functionalist perspective, these institutions reinforce the facts put forth by other institutions because it holds everything together. Society “functions” better when all agree on “truth and norms”.
EXAMPLE #1 – RELIGION
Example: Religion has always been used to reinforce civil norms and encourage obedient behavior. In all religions and all countries it’s part of the equation. Sometimes very overt. Sometimes more covert and deceptive.
EXAMPLE #2 – DRUG LAWS AND THE INDUSTRIAL PRISON COMPLEX
Another Example: drug laws are used to perpetuate the industrial prison complex.
—The United States locks up a lot of people.
Our prison population rate of roughly 700 per 100,000 is the second-highest of 222 countries tracked by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research.
Private correctional facilities were a $4.8 billion industry last year, with profits of $629 million, according to market research firm IBISWorld. Yet we “must protect our youth from the evil drug dealers”. ALL SUPPLY SIDE INTERVENTIONS ARE DOOMED TO FAIL.
EXAMPLE #3 – THE ADDICTION TREATMENT SYSTEM & THE RECOVERY MOVEMENT
—Another example: the indisputable “truths” which hold together our addiction treatment system ($46 billion industry) and our evolving centralized “recovery movement”.
TAKE NOTE: APF and their underlings are trying to “control” the movement; including the allocation of funding.
If you think ALL the “experts and gatekeepers” at the front of our “Recovery Movement” are putting forth pure objective unbiased info you are truly naive.
NOTE: I have great respect and admiration for many people and organizations in the Recovery space.
Even if I don’t agree with the others I know they aren’t bad people. They simply have an agenda and think they know best.
WE ALL DESERVE TO KNOW THE RULE OF THE GAME
APF tried to sneak in $10 million in Self Funding through legislation that we all fought for. Money that the entire “Recovery Movement” fought for.
By and large the “Recovery Movement” has been silent. Aside from some brave voices who are willing to walk their own path. Everyone else appears to be toeing the company line.
As a matter of fact I am starting to think I must be foolish for being upset about this.
It appears everyone else in the “movement” is cool with APF’s private deal. One thing for sure. This new recovery “thing” is certainly not a movement. It’s an evolving system and a burgeoning industry.
Or more accurately, an off shoot of the treatment system. History repeating itself.
That’s fine. But we all deserve to know the rules of the game.
PUNCHED IN THE GUT
APF doesn’t represent FAVOR GREENVILLE worldview.
When FAVOR GREENVILLE advocates for legislation and recovery money WE DO NOT support any of it being allocated to “literature and training”.
We had no idea that was part of the plan. This isn’t the first time FAVOR GREENVILLE has been punched in the gut.
In February 2018 I participated in an event in Washington DC that was broadcast-with the surgeon general; and some members of congress.
At that event we (the recovery movement) officially requested $220 million.
Shortly after that event Faces and Voices/ARCO sent out an email celebrating the fact that Sheldon Whitehouse (senator) seemed on board and the $220 million request stood.
STAND UP FOR ITSELF
The recovery movement was finally going to stand up for itself and not just advocate for more money for treatment and the legacy provider system.
As the legislative process unfolded APF sent a letter to Congress proposing allocation of money in CARA 2.0 legislation.
It detailed where APF recommended the money go.
The amount allocated to recovery support (places like FAVOR; recovery housing etc…) was $7 million of a $4 billion proposal. $7 million instead of $220 million.
Furthermore, the APF letter that was sent to congress included a section that stated this request is supported by over 100 recovery organizations nationwide including the following: it then listed all the ARCO members. Including FAVOR Greenville
OVER-SIGHT OR MISCOMMUNICATION ???
I would have never signed off on those changes.
We were never ask about our support for that allocation. Not by APF; Not by Faces and Voices national.
I never said I agree with the APF document.
I never got the opportunity to review the document ahead of time. And when I did review it (after it was sent to Congress). I didn’t agree with much of it.
Perhaps it was oversight. Perhaps it was miscommunication.
CANNOT CONCEIVE
However, I can not conceive any circumstance where I would have the hubris to speak for another organization without written consent.
NO ONE SPEAKS FOR FAVOR GREENVILLE AND OUR AFFILIATES EXCEPT ME AND OUR BOARD CHAIR.
On one hand we are very frustrated at FAVOR GREENVILLE.
On the other hand it is good to have clarity and realistic expectations surrounding national advocacy.
NO INTENTION TO FUND
There is no intention to fund independent recovery supports.
It would not be politically expedient for APF and their associates to pursue such radical ideas. They will bank on toolkits and blueprints and resource lists. Much safer and acceptable to the status quo.
WE INTEND TO GAIN PROMINENCE
At FAVOR GREENVILLE we intend to gain prominence nationally based on merit and performance and winning in the free market. We know we won’t be invited to any advocacy awards dinners and we may be kicked out of the “club”.
However, we have realized that the the world outside the recovery bubble loves us and is willing to be part of the solution. Corporations, healthcare systems, benefits administrators, and the technology industry are willing partners.
WE KNOW WE CAN DELIVER
They judge us based on performance and value add. That makes us hopeful because we know we can deliver.
I would have stayed in the treatment system If I wanted to struggle with arbitrary gatekeepers and “experts”. It’s hard to abdicate authority to people who have never executed in the actual delivery of professional recovery services.
We have no intention of following people/organizations/protocols which operate mainly on theory.
Or worse organizations that just repackage the 60 year old treatment system.
I have little time nor tolerance for theory over practice.
I will follow the lead of people who add value and get things done effectively on the ground in direct service.
ACCESS TO UNLIMITED INFO
In modern society we have access to unlimited info. The isn’t 13th century feudal system where we have no info and we just need to accept that the king’s rule is “divinely ordained”.
Read. Educate yourself. Check out other sides. Access your own critical thinking. If you are in the “Recovery Movement” take time to investigate. Don’t blindly follow the herd.
For that matter. Challenge me as well. I’m not an “authority”. I just have an opinion.
Tell me how I’m wrong. Tell me where you differ.
Let’s talk!
September 22, 2018 @ 10:45 pm
Been very close to my thinking for quite some time, glad you are coming around on the FDA… They are way ahead of looking out for us, literally killing us !
I definitely want to hear more about SARIs.
September 23, 2018 @ 4:49 pm
Richard, you know I am on board with your movement. Recovery is a personal investment and something people work for. Providing money and tools to pass along what we learn is the best use of funds. Funding engagement with recovery is the answer. I find plenty of people wanting to get on board and help promote the solution. Let’s give electronic residencies and scholoarships to those who participate in the SAMHSA regional models.
September 23, 2018 @ 4:57 pm
Richard, I agree with you 90%. Sustainable recovery is worked for and passed along in the traditions built almost a century ago. New technologies allow for this to spread faster. SAMHSA’s regional models can continue to build and flourish with support to network and align community resources. This was all in the plan you presented. Thank you for everything.