Drug Diversion Programme (Court-ordered)

[Peripat]

Hopefully by the end of today I should have a first-hand story to tell about this experimental programme being run through the Brisbane Magistrates' Court (South-East Queensland, Australia). It's designed (supposedly) to stop first and second-time drug offenders from reoffending, and hopefully steer us on a more positive (read: illicit drug-free) path.

Okay so I'm almost 32 and have been a drug user for 13 years, but this is the first time I've come smack-bang (excuse the pun) up against the law for it. So I got the chance to take this programme instead of a fine and community service, not to mention a VERY black mark against my name (i.e. a drugs-related conviction)... so this is a good thing in and of itself. My obligations now (before the court, that is) are simply to travel to Brisbane and have a two-hour one-on-one drugs counselling session with a court-approved drug counsellor. This may or may not be the biggest waste of time ever, because I used to work in the field of needle exchange and harm reduction, and I still keep up to date with all the literature circulating in needle exchanges regarding the drugs of my choice. Not to mention the fact that I was college-educated anyway. Nobody needs to draw me a picture. If, however, I can talk through some of the issues that led me to drug use in the first place, and which lead me to continue with this behaviour, then I may get something worthwhile out of this afternoon's session.

I'll keep you posted.

[Peripat]

Okay, so I went... and amazingly, it wasn't too bad. Actually I found it helpful. The counsellor and I clicked just about straight off, and after I told her about my background in drug education and harm reduction, she realised I didn't need a lecture about those areas. She actually asked me what I hoped to gain from the meeting, and what assistance I might find helpful. I told her I was interested in whether or not I might be a good candidate for the buprenorphine programme, and whether it was available in my area (given that I was arrested, and therefore charged and faced court and drug counselling 25 miles away in the next city to the one I live in.)

The two hours actually flew by, as we got into the reasons behind my drug use, why heroin was my drug of choice, and what options I had for getting better. Given my history of bipolar disorder and as a victim of physical and emotional abuse by my parents and a few ex-partners and others, we discussed the reasons behind my drug use and some strategies for overcoming it. The counsellor said to me, "What I see is not a hopeless junkie, but rather a very intelligent but very confused and scared woman who has never learnt healthy coping strategies." She then told me that I could come to her for counselling, if there was nothing suitable available in my area (which I suspect there isn't - I've already had the same discussion with my psychiatrist when I stopped going to the local drug and alcohol counselling people, who I found condescending, rather dimwitted and totally unprepared to deal with dual diagnosis people like myself - i.e. those presenting with both mental illness and drug issues, let alone anyone with more than half a brain).

I liked the counsellor's way of dealing with things - she laughed along with me when I poked fun at the questionnaires ("Do you think you have a drug problem?" one of them asked, and I laughed and said, "Yeah... my problem is there's not enough of them!") and she treated me with respect, not adopting the condescending attitude many so-called health care professionals try to hide behind. She didn't bullshit me, either... my journey's not going to be an easy one, she told me, but there is hope.

Basically I'm tired of spending all my cash on opiates and alcohol... there is other things I'd like to do. And to be honest, I'm getting a little old for all the shit that illegal drugs entail - plus, once you've come to the attention of the law (which I have) the chances increase that it will happen again... and next time there won't be such leniency allowed to me. I've been offered a chance to better myself, it's about time I took it.

We covered a fair bit of ground in the just over two hours, and as I left, the counsellor said she'd be interested in reading some of my writing (I told her I'd been a journalist a long time ago, and currently wrote both an online and an offline journal, and a friend is pestering me to write a blog.) That was pretty inspiring. I walked out of the building feeling better about myself and about the future than I have done in quite a while.

(Four hours later... and I'm on heroin, but hey, one step at a time... and hell, I got paid this afternoon. Whaddya expect? *grins somewhat wickedly*)

[bi11i]

so are you going to get on the bup then? it's a gov't sanctioned program over there, eh? doesn't sound all that bad to me...

[Peripat]

Well, after ringing around virtually every place that offers it in a 30-35 mile radius of me, it seems they're all full. Yep, government medicine at works, folks. You don't get the help when you need it, your name comes up on a waiting list some three months after you're dead.

So much for bupe.

[bi11i]

so there's a 30 patient-per-doctor max there, too?

[Peripat]

I'm not sure what the actual number per doctor is, I didn't ask. Some places had waiting lists, some didn't. I might enlist the help of the counsellor I saw to find out if there was any places I might have missed. Someone suggested Logan, but that's just too far away, not to mention difficult to get to, especially since I'll probably be losing my licence soon (and if Ipswich and Brisbane are full, I can't see Logan being any different.)

[jacky]

worth a shot you might try kappa opioid agonist containing chaste tree extracts. this is a very cheap spice that has dopaminergic, kappa and mu agonist effects. some commercial extracts I have tried carry a strong stimulant quality. the extract I make by grinding the chaste seed and soaking in vodka for a few weeks has a different effect, perhaps due to the aqueous portion of the vodka soaking up chemicals that are not as soluable in the commercial ethanol. at any rate bup is a kappa agonist that carries some significant stimulant qualities for some people. the kappa opioid action of chaste tree is very similiar at first to cannabis ( due in part of cannabis effecting the kappa opiate receptor as well?) chaste tree has been used with wine or alcohol extracts for centuries. it can cause a reduction in sex drive apperantly. I have seen toxicology reports that list months of use at a time with few side effects. I remember giving some commercial extract to a female freind who had the flu, she was bed ridden. 20 minutes after the dose and she was vacuuming the house!

[jacky]

the chaste tree is mainly marketed to woman for menstrual type complaints. most companys either are not aware of its opioid effects, or avoid discussing the fact. the active compounds seem to be diterpene structures. salvia divinorum, a potent herb that has a kappa opioid active diterpene compound salvinorin a may help with addiction craving as well. I have smoked salvia while on bup, and while the effect was diminished, or perhaps not as noticeable , the obvious opiate effect is there, after the initial visionary type effects are produced. salvinorin a puts me to sleep about 50 minutes after consumption. chaste tree and salvia divinorum used together have given me some interesting and relaxing sensations.

[jacky]

nubaine is also a kappa agonist, and depending on where you live, can be bought without a prescription. kappa agonist activity is attributed to several other african herbs that I am in the process of obtaining and making extracts of. one is picralima nitida. kappa agonist effects can vary wildly, producing ketamine like effects to the clean feeling of a buprenorphine high. very interesting receptor. I dont think salvia divinorum or chaste tree would produce much of a craving effect or tolerance or physical dependence anywhere close the that of ketamine, which also can effect the kappa receptor. buprenorphine is definitely habit forming. I found that when switching from codeine/poppy seeds that initially 8-12 milligrams of bup gets me quite high, and very sleepy. the stuff is amazing in that mere micrograms can suspend withdrawl symptoms. salvinorin a is active in the microgram range as well. a few buddhist groups use the salvia resin for meditation, there is something about the salvia high that is very relaxing and euphoric after 10-20 minutes. if I am tense before the experience I am usually passed out after an hour.