I am sitting here watching an episode of A&E's "Intervention" called "Intervention: In Depth" and I had no idea this episode existed. So far, it has been about the city in which I teach and the OC turned heroin epidemic that has hit our region. There is film of my school, the high school, and the neighborhood in which I teach...and I had no clue.
This is the place my daughter got her drugs from...this is why she told me she couldn't go to school with me as she had every year since she was 13...crossing the city line was too much of a trigger. Her dealer who OD'd in January is from here...I spend most of my time here.
Next thing I see is footage of the harbor in my quiet little town, talking about how the South Shore of Boston is overrun with heroin and OC...a 6 year epidemic that has been buried by politicians and public health officials...and here's the head of health and wellness for our school district, a woman who has conducted meetings to inform teachers about this (and other) problem(s) of the youth in our city (yeah, that's what we get for professional development where I teach - that and child protective services workshops)...and there's the girl who was on the front page of the local paper for her dance competition wins...and her best friend whose tombstone made the front page when she died of a heroin overdose five months pregnant...and here's the mom who tells of how the entire family suffers from depression and anxiety on a daily basis...you know, "the family disease"...addiction...no one wants to put a name on it, but plenty of blame to go around...and now I'm seeing the parent support group I was referred to by my assistant principal (whose son was addicted to OCs and H)...the room, and there she is, in her blue 'Stay Strong' tee shirt that is their symbol. (How is it she never told me she was in this? We've been brutally honest with one another...must've slipped her mind...?)...and here's the kid who delivers our lunches on Fridays...
...and no one wants to talk about the gangs that rule the city...that can stand on a corner in broad daylight and move their packets and their $80 OCs...and not a cop in sight...this is what my students walk home through every single day...that's why they don't look forward to summer vacation the way other kids do - school is safe and fun and people can watch out for you there.
Wow...I don't even know what to think. I do know I can't show my daughter...she says "Intervention" should scare her, but instead it triggers her and makes her want to use, so she no longer watches.
I remember reading the articles when they wrote the series...I remember leaving them in my daughter's room for her to read...
Watch it if you get the chance...could be any city...but it's mine...
Peace~MomNMore
Hey M-
Maybe get me a heads up when its going to air- - Id like to check out your part of town (where you teach)
As you know, I went to college up there in the late 70,s (Curry) & spent a lot of time in some of the shaky area,s in Bostons southside - -Yeah even when I was supposed to be getting an education- I was drawn to the seedy side of life-
Interesting Huh?? - I wonder why- -that's a question for the shrink- lol
love&respect
jack
edit- - I do remember a big busing issue at that time. Cops & ambulances racing down blue hills rd (or whatever that rd is) 3 times a week to high school riots. - - long time ago - - - -
Maybe get me a heads up when its going to air- - Id like to check out your part of town (where you teach)
As you know, I went to college up there in the late 70,s (Curry) & spent a lot of time in some of the shaky area,s in Bostons southside - -Yeah even when I was supposed to be getting an education- I was drawn to the seedy side of life-
Interesting Huh?? - I wonder why- -that's a question for the shrink- lol
love&respect
jack
edit- - I do remember a big busing issue at that time. Cops & ambulances racing down blue hills rd (or whatever that rd is) 3 times a week to high school riots. - - long time ago - - - -
Hey, Jack...I remember those days clearly...the busing...the parents flipping a buss full of black kids in Southie...riots at Carson Beach...Blue Hill Ave in Mattapan (know locally as Murderpan)...all right in your neighborhood, or close to it anyway.
Yeah, the Intervention was called "Heroin Hits Home" and I caught it On Demand through Comcast, so I don't know that it has an air date, though it might.
How's things Jack? The son? The job hunting (are you looking or just laying low?) Nice to you my firnd =)
Peace~M&M
Yeah, the Intervention was called "Heroin Hits Home" and I caught it On Demand through Comcast, so I don't know that it has an air date, though it might.
How's things Jack? The son? The job hunting (are you looking or just laying low?) Nice to you my firnd =)
Peace~M&M
M&M...dont know what to say...I wrote youa bit on the other message...but then saw this one over here...its all so depressing sometimes...our nieghborhood has gone down the way too in the last 5 years even over here...use to be "good" section of town...seems like even the "good" sections latley are the same as the "bad" ones...what I dont understand I guess is how your principal could have just left you out like that...I think it was so hurtful...why would she do that ?...too embarrased maybe about her own kid ?...but to let you see that without even telling you...your won school for cripes sake...feeling totally pissed off for you M&M...hey, got your back girl if you need us to team up ! lol..:)...seriouslty though...thats just so not nice...unkind I guess...dont understand people sometimes...
Your daughter though...I have to whole heartedly agree with...I CANNOT watch intervention...triggers me in an instant...God, to watch poeple cooking and shooting...Ohhhhh Nooooooooooo....NOT a good idea...:)...I know there are people who can watch it and not use...but, Im so not one of them thats for sure...
Boston...yes...spent ALOT of time there in my earlier years...both sides of town...the good , the bad, and the ugly...from the wealthiest to the streets...and its in every place regardless of its class...wish I had the answers...children are not safe anymore...not that we were either in some ways when we were growing up...but, I think, not like this, not like it is today...its really a scary place today for kids now...I worry about all 3 of my nieces...its a minefield out there...the vunerable, the senstive...the meek...its really a tough place...
Con
Your daughter though...I have to whole heartedly agree with...I CANNOT watch intervention...triggers me in an instant...God, to watch poeple cooking and shooting...Ohhhhh Nooooooooooo....NOT a good idea...:)...I know there are people who can watch it and not use...but, Im so not one of them thats for sure...
Boston...yes...spent ALOT of time there in my earlier years...both sides of town...the good , the bad, and the ugly...from the wealthiest to the streets...and its in every place regardless of its class...wish I had the answers...children are not safe anymore...not that we were either in some ways when we were growing up...but, I think, not like this, not like it is today...its really a scary place today for kids now...I worry about all 3 of my nieces...its a minefield out there...the vunerable, the senstive...the meek...its really a tough place...
Con
