So yesterday my best friend and I went to the gym and to grab some lunch. On our way home she mentioned that 1 in 3 people have an underlying mental health issue. When I got home I started doing some research. 11.7% of Americans 12 and over use illegal drugs. 53 million or 19.4% of people 12 and over have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year.
I’m from a small town in North Carolina where the normal thing to do is use drugs. There is a lot of drug use but there is also a big recovery community. Oxford houses are what they call transitional housing is prevalent here.
“Oxford House Model” is a community-based approach to addiction recovery, which provides an independent, supportive, and sober living environment.
Almost all Oxford houses in my town are near the housing projects or near a a drug dealer I used to buy drugs from. It really just makes me stop and question WHY? Do the drug dealers move themselves near the recovery houses or is this something bigger then that? Intentional from a different side? If you get what I’m saying…
I’m not sure, but you hear of horror stories of how people are treated in our jails, prisons… Why are we not helping people who are suffering with mental health disorders rather then hurting? Why are we not putting more money into the rehabilitation side of things.
I’ve been to many state detoxes as well. It’s not somewhere you want to be. Yes, there are some staff that are amazing and doing everything they can. But 9 times out of 10. No one gives a shit about you in there. I’m no expert in any of this by any means but it does make me stop and wonder why the government isn’t trying to put more into the rehabilitation of people like me. Doesn’t that lower on crime rate as well?
Disclaimer- I got help in a Psychiatric Ward at a local hospital. I will say they were amazing in there.
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