From revolving doors to real solutions
To the Editor:
When I heard about H72, the so-called ‘safe injection sites’ bill, there were so many questions that it was almost overwhelming. What’s wrong with this picture? What’s missing?
I remembered my sister who battled addiction for over 50 years before her death. I remembered the years my husband and I spent following my step-son’s addiction which became a downward spiral to homelessness, street living, jail, and serious injury. The time, heartbreak, nights on the phone trying to connect him to some food from a distance, and waiting for that final phone call from the authorities… But our experiences were not unique. For families dealing with an addicted loved one, they are all too familiar.
So, what’s missing in this bill is a resolution, a promise for redirection! Instead, this bill is an expensive revolving door. The “harm reduction” is, in reality, a repeating cycle eventually ending in death, because this band-aid offers no effective way to change the outcomes.
Today, my step-son is a working man with a relationship, an apartment, a driver’s license, a car, and a dog. He didn’t get to this point by cycling in and out of safe spaces. Because he served in the military, he was picked up by a court diversion program in Ohio called MAVS Court. After 3 homeless years of dangerous drug usage in 2 states, living day to day by salvaging from dumpsters, and watching friends die, he came to a life-or-death decision to change course.
The MAVS Court program is a strict and comprehensive, wrap-around approach. It provided a long-term residential path to a better, drug-free life. There was ongoing support every step of the way with no-nonsense counseling and a real chance to return to a responsible lifestyle. There was a wonderful graduation celebration when my stepson reached his goal, but that was not the end. MAVS graduates are able to maintain a connection with staff, so there is always someone to reach out to.
I talked with my step-son before writing this. He said that the worst part was being homeless. “It sucks to have no place to sleep, no place to shower, no clean clothes, no food”. You don’t know that you’re cold with meth; you don’t know that you’re hungry.” He also said that safe spaces with information, but no place to send someone if they want help, only to put them back on the street will not work”. He should know.
Vermont has no good, long-term programs to get people on their feet. Short stays DO NOT work. My sister was in and out of every short-term facility in Vermont. My point is that money (2 MILLION) for these “safe spaces” could be so much better invested in recovery rather than slow suicide. There are good models out there, like the one mentioned above, that could be investigated and developed here. Programs like this one have a REAL harm reduction trajectory with a possibility of REAL crime reduction.
Today, our young man is over 862 days clean. Every day is a challenge and every day that he meets that challenge is a Good Day. We know this is a life-long struggle for him, and he is in our prayers every day. The phone call we used to dread is now a nightly text to his dad with a “Good Night, Pop”. How many families will not get to hear that.
Is there always success? No, there isn’t. But, if all we can offer these people is a revolving door, there will be no success. – Carol Gross, Jericho
Texas under invasion Where does Vermont stand? Texas is being invaded and governors of 25 states have joined to assist the Constitutional right of Texas to defend itself from invasion. Where does Vermont stand? Are we a proud independent state within this country?
The Federal Government is siding with non-citizens outside our country against the state of Texas and its citizens. This is a States’ rights issue in confrontation with the Federal government that could spark a Civil War. Again I ask where do you stand? Where does our State stand?
Our Governor, Governor Scott must feel like a eunuch. Now after years of kowtowing to the veto-proof supermajority opposition in the Vermont legislature he finally has the opportunity to straighten his spine and stand up and do something that the legislature cannot veto. Stand with Texas.
After four years of peace we have now been through a national government that has started wars all over the globe. As the globe sits on the precipice of a Third World War our national government is attacking the foundation of our Republic with the threat of a civil war.
The Republican Party in this state needs to make a statement if it is ever going to be considered viable. Otherwise it will sit in obscurity as the Communists take our country.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress … engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.” — Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. — Article 4 Section 4 U.S. Constitution
The Federal government has failed to protect our border states and our citizens from invasion. The State has the right to protect itself and its citizens from invasion.
I stand with Texas.
-Gerald Mittica, Springfield
Discover more from Vermont Daily Chronicle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: Uncategorized
my comment will not be allowed on this web site///
I stand with Carol Gross and Texas.
The issues are related. Both, H72 and the migrant invasion reflect the absence of a moral compass in the hearts of those who are supposedly governing us.
texastan is a third world country, thanks to all the toothless rubes who live there.
What could possibly go wrong with giving ” junkies ” a place to shoot up their illegal
drugs ?? What amazes me is that elected officials promote the use of illegal drugs with the boondoggle proposition, elected enablers !! Going against Federal Law, I thought they took an oath ?????
As far as the Texas Border crisis, did anyone really expect ” Feckless ” Phil to stand for closing the border with other conservative Governors, Oh wait Phil isn’t just another RINO, he’s a complete liberal hack, like the rest under the Golden Doom, yes doom!
Wake up people.
I just am freaked out about waking up to Gov. Baruth, Gov. Weinberger, Gov. Krowinski, Gov. Zuckerman…since what other Republican is capable of being elected to that post in moonbat-infested Vermont?
Such an event would be painful, indeed. The long term effects to Vermont’s economy would render the state bankrupt within several years- long enough to get out while property values are still high- as the liberal elitists flock to nirvana.
The short and long term effects would render Vermont unlivable to all but the most staunch socialist and marxist. The current and future totalitarian and almost fascist super- majority would indeed seize every opportunity to ensnare more tax dollars and foist more regulation upon the population.
It certainly would finalize Vermonts shifting demographics and enshrine Vermont as America’s first socialist state.
Maybe you can get Paul Gosar or Giggety Goo Geatz to move to Vermont and run for gov.
let me give you an example/// i have a 13 gallon can hanging from my tree/// it holds 40 pounds of oil seeds/// first came the birds///second came the squirrels/// third came the pigeons/// fourth came the skunk /// fifth came the three raccoons/// six came the three possums/// the can is empty/// no more money to fill it/// can i get a grant to fill my can /// no will not apply for well fare/// the animals will have make it on there own/// sorry///
Grand Ayatollah Abbott has already killed migrants.
Now he wants to collude with Texas Rangers to murder Border Patrol agents.
There is a federal death penalty for that.
Trump held strategy meetings at Merde A Lardo with open Nazis.
Good news!!
Magats are 99% worm-free!!
I have absolutely zero respect for anyone who mis-pronouns the maggot.
Maybe instead of breaking that pill in half – double it.
Hey Rich, why you aren’t freaked out about Scott ?
The choice of all the marxists in VT because he writes illegal and unconstitutional gun laws, supports abortion to the moment of Birth, supports the sexual, chemical, physical and psychological destruction of children, supports the most treasonous Administration in American History, who can’t define the word Woman thereby placing every Female in VT schools, businesses and public place at risk from sexual predators, supports illegal invaders over VT Children at risk from domestic abuse, illegal invaders over Vermonters suffering from the effects of tobacco use, who violates the VTGOP Platform at will, who refuses to stand with Texas and their effort to protect America, who asked school children if Mom & Dad had anyone over for Thanksgiving and Christmas, who rewarded school districts with high jab rates while illegally withholding money from schools districts where Parents and Teachers actually protected their children, who refuses to secure schools with armed trained personnel, metal detectors and secured entrances, who supports the dismantling of our Constitution by siding with the marxists and their attacks on our 2nd Amendment, who put Sarah George in the Chittenden County State Attorney Office, who named democrat replacements for seats vacated by Republicans, who shut down Mom & Pop businesses while keeping major chains open, who told Vermonters they Weren’t Essential but VT Liquor stores, planned parenthood, every State employee and public school employee were, who shut down Churches, how many more examples do you need ?
Scott receives between 60 – 70% of the democrat vote. Because he is one of them.
There are only two differences between Scott and Zuckerman, the ponytail and the fact that Zuckerman tells the truth when he says he wants all these things plus more.
Scott is a liar and has betrayed every Conservative Vermonter. He has his defenders though, VTGOP Chair Dame brags about Scott being the most popular Governor in America. There are 24 other transrepublican State Reps that agree with Scott, that is why they voted for H89.
Scott’s defenders will attack me because I actually fight for every Baby, Child and Female in Vermont. Have at it, prove who you are.
Make sure when you scream at me for showing this proof you don’t actually defend Scott, the VTGOP or any Transrepublican. Because they are indefensible.
Mr. Sexton, I absolutely agree. At least I know who’s holding the knife when I get stabbed in the front by a Baruth or Zuckerman. When I voted for the Eunuch Philip the 1st – King of Castrati when he first ran, I was told he was a conservative I was shocked when he stabbed me in the back, and I turned around and saw who was holding the knife.
The day Scott, Zuckerman, and Condos invited China into the State House (February 2019), is why the Republic of Vermont is occupied by a belligerent, installed regime. Anyone expecting the VTGOP or the DNC/Progs to represent or defend the Republic is woefully ignorant. They represent the corporation and currently, the citizens of Vermont are free range hostages and prisoners of war. We cannot vote our way out of this and that is line drawn in the sand. Now what?
I’m no fan of Phil Scott, but he was also supported by a majority of Republicans and Independents.
Your extreme views are simply not acceptable to the vast majority of Vermonters.
All you’ve done here is post a laundry list of personal gripes – you haven’t proven anything to anyone.
And that screaming you hear? – it’s you – screaming into the void.
Next time you write a comment prepare some facts. Scott was supported by between 60 and 70% of the democrats. And everything I wrote is provable.
Your lack of information, willful or not proves you are uninformed.
By the way, 20% of registered Republicans voted for Peter Welch over the Pro Life and Constitutional Republican candidate Gerald Malloy.
Malloy was not supported or endorsed by the VTGOP. Their candidate was Ms. Nolan. Who supports abortion thru the 2nd trimester and vowed to fight to codify Roe V Wade had she been elected.
Malloy never received One Cent from the VTGOP. Tell me again how my views are extreme.
645,000 people in vermont/// is this all you have got/// you talk about a crime operation that includes the government , news media, and special corporations///
There actually is an effective addiction treatment here in Vermont. Unfortunately since Adult and Teen Challenge is a faith based program, the state will do their best to ignore it. https://tcnewengland.org/
I’ve been all in for Phil Scott from the beginning. He’d not great, but at least he’s not a Progressive or Demonrat. I know, I know, that’s not saying much, but I think it’s the way a lot of us feel.
That said, please tell me what risk, political or otherwise, would Phil Scott be taking by simply saying “Vermont stands with Texas”? Phil needs to understand that right now he’s gelding. No matter what he thinks, and I do believe he’s a conservative at heart, he can’t do anything in Vermont’s current political climate. Sure, he can veto this, that, or the other bill, maybe show up at natural disasters and graduations, but the legislature has a veto-proof majority. He’s stuck and he knows it. And we all know that sooner or later, probably sooner, he’ll be replaced by some leftie who’ll not only rubber stamp everything the legislature throws at the wall, but who will give them even more free license to turn Vermont into New California.
So I ask – What does Scott have to lose by just stating that Vermont stands with Texas? I would argue he has zero to lose. his days are numbered. On the other hand, he might actually gain votes from some folks who won’t vote for him now because they see him as spineless.
Heck, even NH’s Gov Sununu came out in support of Texas, which to him must have seemed like downing a bottle of castor oil in one shot. Time to step up, Governor Scott. Better to be remembered for your last action than to fade away into oblivion.