Something that made me think for a bit today.

This poem was shared today on Facebook. It was part of a post that was a hoax but I felt that the poem itself should be kept, because someone wrote it. From the way it was written, I'd say it was written by someone who had experience with the drug, or someone who had a loved one who takes it or died while taking it. 

Rich or poor, drugs can destroy us all, but when it is the poor....people want to see them "pee in a jar" to get their welfare benefits. IF the person comes out as an addict, they lose their benefits. Do they get help? Probably not. Instead everyone uses it to point and say "see I told you THOSE people were all bad, using OUR tax money to do drugs. We were so right to test them.

Those who are addicted to drugs deserve our patience and understanding. Drugs and drug use can make people who would normally have been your best friends, into people you don't know anymore. It can make a lover into a killer, an honest person into a thief. 

I don't know what the answer to drugs is...I don't think anyone really does. I don't think that making it illegal has helped. It only creates more criminals...not less incentive to use them. Laws harm those who are using drugs to help them with pain.

Would legalizing drugs help? I don't really know...maybe. I mean humans do have a habit of wanting to do something just because it is "rebellious" to do. If you take away it's illegal status it's just like alcohol and tobacco. Those are also drugs, they do as much harm to people and cost just as much as the street drugs that are taken. 

Perhaps legalizing drugs means you can issue permits and licenses to sell them, tax the profits made and use the taxes to pay for programs to help get people off them. I don't know. I don't pretend to know the answer to this problem. 

I just know that shaming and blaming people for not being like everyone else has got to STOP. 

Shame and blame doesn't cure people. It just hurts them more. Driving them deeper into whatever it is they are doing that hurts themselves and their communities. 

Pretend you have a heart, act like you have some compassion.....stop making people feel bad so you can make yourself feel better.

LECTURE OVER: Now here is the poem. (if anyone knows who the writer is, feel free to share below), IF you have any poetry etc you'd like to share about this topic or any other, feel free to comment. I won't bite you. ( I promise). 
 
My Name Is "Meth"

I destroy homes, I tear families apart, take your children, and that's just the start.

I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold,
The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.

If you need me, remember I'm easily found,
I live all around you - in schools and in town.

I live with the rich; I live with the poor,
I live down the street, and maybe next door.

I'm made in a lab, but not like you think,
I can be made under the kitchen sink.
In your child's closet, and even in the woods,
If this scares you to death, well it certainly should.

I have many names, but there's one you know best,
I'm sure you've heard of me, my name is crystal meth.

My power is awesome; try me you'll see,
But if you do, you may never break free.

Just try me once and I might let you go,
But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.

When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie,
You do what you have to -- just to get high.

The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charms
Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms,
your lungs your nose.

You'll lie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad,
When you see their tears, you should feel sad.

But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised,
I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.

I take kids from parents, and parents from kids,
I turn people from God, and separate friends.

I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride,
I'll be with you always -- right by your side.

You'll give up everything - your family, your home,
Your friends, your money, then you'll be alone.

I'll take and take, till you have nothing more to give,
When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.

If you try me be warned - this is no game,
If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.

I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind,
I'll own you completely, your soul will be mine.

The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed,
The voices you'll hear, from inside your head.

The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see,
I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.

But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart,
That you are mine, and we shall not part.

You'll regret that you tried me, they always do,
But you came to me, not I to you.

You knew this would happen, many times you were told,
But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.

You could have said no, and just walked away,
If you could live that day over, now what would you say?

I'll be your master, you will be my slave,
I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.

Now that you have met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.

I can bring you more misery than words can tell,
Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell.

Wow it has been a long time since I posted my last bit. I feel red faced about that but I was really busy. I had many courses on the go at Coursera (never ever going to do that again), as well as things in my real world taking up my time that I forgot to check in here.

The latest news from our corner of the world is simple. My older two found work. It is only temporary so don't start celebrating yet. The jobs are ones created by work programs but I remain hopeful that they will get something after these jobs expire (or perhaps that they will get hired on by the company that took them in).

I was busy trying to get a response back from our worker about getting clothes for work. Now before the worker just said "submit the amount you need to me and I will get it to you", but at some point they changed their minds or realized that they were doing it all wrong, and instead of responding to the email request for money for pants and shoes, we got no responses at all. A quick email saying "you need to get a written letter from the store with the amount you need in order for us to process your request" would have been much better than that and would have allowed us to get right on it.

I think that having a letter from a store is simply humiliating. Imagine having to go to the store, look at the merchandise and then having to find someone (good luck with that in Walmart), and have them write or sign a note saying that the cost of the clothing is x amount and that the total will be y amount. Then having to submit that to a worker who will then decide if you qualify for the clothing help you need.

Worse yet, they put my kid's jobs in jeopardy since the employer requires the clothing, in one kid's case black pants for the other kid...jeans. It seems to me that they could simply ask for an estimate, then we go and get the clothing, because if we find it cheaper ELSEWHERE then we could get it there. Then submit receipts as proof we used the money as it was intended. It would save the humiliation and allow us to go forward with dignity.

Other news...we were suspended again because they didn't have enough information. We submitted a letter from me stating I earned money from my artwork, and the paystub from my son. My daughter only got her first pay AFTER their deadline...so now I sit and wait for a phone call to try to straighten out this mess once again.

Why is it when WE have a problem we have a hard time or long wait hearing back from them, but the instant they lose a report or they don't think they have enough information the check is INSTANTLY cut off?