Heroin addict released from prison

Trotter

From RTE - http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0717/keoghr.html

Having seen the state of this girl's arms in the Indo a couple of weeks ago, I can only hope that she has enough support to carry her through.

The scourge of drugs is rotting the youth of the country and I dont think enough is being done.

In the above case, I was surprised to see how the girl looks very "normal" for the want of a better word. It struck home to me how anyone can be swallowed into the murky world of drugs.

Id be really interested to hear how this girl, who seemingly comes from what you would consider a decent family, did get wrapped up in drugs in the beginning.

As with anyone who is entangled in the mess that is heroin, I hope she turns out to be a shining example of how it is survivable and maybe she can do some good in showing kids how nobody is truly exempt from this scourge.

I wish her the best of luck.

mike65

I saw the news report on TV3 (sorry!) and those pictures - bleugh! It would be nice to say that would put any potential user off but sadly it won't.

She does seem to be from a loving family but I guess that proves drug addiction does'nt stop with the desperate and disspossesed.

Mike.

Strokesfan

I saw the story covered on Sky News - she looked like a nice blonde slim dublin girl till she pulled the sleeves up to show what looked like huge scaby ulcers on her forearms - it was truly hideous - and she's still shooting up!!!! Great story to cover to show how it can happen to anyone and I'd never ever touch the stuff after seeing that (not that I think I would have anyway)

Trotter

I didnt see her arms at all on the news.. RTE must have had a more censored version of the report. It shows how the drug must really take over your senses and your life basically.

Terry

i can't remember where i read it, but her mother said she was first given heroin by an "authority figure" when she was 13. i'm guessing this may have been a babysitter or an older relation or somesuch.
while i have no time for heroin addicts, this story has touched me. she would have been quite naive at the age of thirteen and thought it was a good idea. not gonna get hooked etc. i think any of us here who smoked at an early age can somehow relate to her falling into that trap.

starman100

On the Sky report, she reckoned all of the veins were gone in her arms.

I thought heroin addicts used to go for veins in their feet after the arms went - there was no mention of that possibility however - maybe things were a bit nasty down there as well?

Not a very nice report to have on around teatime BTW (put me off my dinner for one) - but maybe it will make people sit up and realise the mess that some people have got themselves into with heroin. No end in sight thats for sure.

Wertz

So when it's some "scumbag" or "skanger" from a council estate or high rise, they can rot in jail, but when they're from " what you would consider a decent family" it's suddenly a tragedy, scourge of drugs etc. ?
These forums sicken me sometimes...or rather the attitudes on them do.

CiaranC

Exactly, 5 posters in a row oohing and aahing because she is middle class.

Stick a tracksuit top on her on youd all be baying for her blood.

boneless

julep wrote:

i can't remember where i read it, but her mother said she was first given heroin by an "authority figure" when she was 13. i'm guessing this may have been a babysitter or an older relation or somesuch.
while i have no time for heroin addicts, this story has touched me. she would have been quite naive at the age of thirteen and thought it was a good idea. not gonna get hooked etc. i think any of us here who smoked at an early age can somehow relate to her falling into that trap.

Most heroin addicts are introduced by an 'authority' figure to the drug. I have sympathy for all addicts... for every one of this group that makes the headlines about another 10 die. The other nine people should be deserving of the news headlines too. Trans sic Gloria Mundi.

Saruman

Was on last word a while back.. they got her on the phone.. well she called in to them. She did not sound like a skanger.
I think that surprised people as drug use is mostly seen to be a skanger thing.. i do not think they have different oppinions because of that.

There is no point sending heroin addicts to jail.. they are still going to be addicts when they get out... all they get in jail is methadone.. they are still addicted!! It might not be fair for society to pay for them.. in fact maybe they should have to pay for help themselves... when they are back on their feet they pay back some/all of the cost... probably not workable... either way if they are in jail society is paying for that too and probably costs more than a rehab clinic.

Trotter

Wertz wrote:

So when it's some "scumbag" or "skanger" from a council estate or high rise, they can rot in jail, but when they're from " what you would consider a decent family" it's suddenly a tragedy, scourge of drugs etc. ?
These forums sicken me sometimes...or rather the attitudes on them do.

Oh please stop with the "Use boards to pick a fight to vent" rubbish.. I've never seen a case publicised on TV and the media like that so if it brought the problem clearer into my mind then its a good thing. DONT question my motives in bringing it up. I have as much sympathy for anyone in this mess as I said in my first post below... Read it....

Trotter wrote:

As with anyone who is entangled in the mess that is heroin

Dont assume that I am middle, upper or lower class... because you dont know!! You also dont know anything about me in terms of my views on "classes". We're all human and anyone using this tragic drug is in my view a tragedy. Im so sick of people using boards to pick arguments that arent warranted or asked for just to p*ss off the OP.

Now.. back to the original point.. I hope it highlights the problem more, and that those with their hands on the purse strings, and the Gardai, can come up with a strategy to rid us of this problem.

[Jackass]

Link to pics of arm?

D-Generate

Just because she is a junkie does not mean she should be granted an amnesty on the crimes that she committed. I do not call being placed under the care of her mother much punishment. Surely there is drug rehabilitation programs in prison that she could avail of.

CreepingDeath

She got out of Mountjoy cos she said there was lots of drugs there ?

I wonder if that would work for a psychopath.... can't put them in jail cos there's lots of people there.....

I hope she at least got 2 years probation, so she could be thrown in jail if she shoplifts / takes drugs again.

Trotter

A surprising amount of drug related criminals are released from custody, but only if the judge believes that they are not at high risk of reoffending. In this case I can only presume that because of representations made by the girl's family, agreement to go on the closest available treatment program, and the fact that the Tanaiste had said there was treatment available for her, the judge felt the world and its mother would be watching her.

As far as I know she has pretty strict probation terms so she wont be able to put a foot out of line. I think the judge told the prosecution that they would be listened to straight away in their attempts to have her dealt with in prison if she steps out of line.

JC 2K3

Heroin needs to be regulated rather than prohibited.

thebaz

while heroin addiction mainly effects the underclass in Ireland , or as some here refer to skanger-class, heroin addiction has eaten into all classes and social groups. One of the richest guys in my class in school, lives in a dingy flat now in town , no job , no teath , after years of heroin, coke , alcohol and methadone addiction. So maybe we should show a bit of compassion to most addicts ,regardless where they are from . Lets be honest how many 11 year olds starting out on life want to grow up and become heroin addicts .

Trotter

thebaz wrote:

So maybe we should show a bit of compassion to most addicts ,regardless where they are from . Lets be honest how many 11 year olds starting out on life want to grow up and become heroin addicts .

Do you mean society in general should show compassion, or people posting on this thread?

thebaz

Trotter wrote:

Do you mean society in general should show compassion, or people posting on this thread?

there is a fairly strong anti heroin brigade here, i'm not saying active junkies are the most pleasant of people , i have witnessed up close syringine attack in shop -- but i've also lost a few freinds to addiction as well . its easy to generalise , but there are many other bad groups in Ireland, come to think of it , its the heroin dealers that are the real scumbags.

Trotter

thebaz wrote:

there is a fairly strong anti heroin brigade here, i'm not saying active junkies are the most pleasant of people , i have witnessed up close syringine attack in shop -- but i've also lost a few freinds to addiction as well . its easy to generalise , but there are many other bad groups in Ireland, come to think of it , its the heroin dealers that are the real scumbags.

Its not the people who take heroin that should be criticised for it, I agree its the scum that gives it to them. Imagine the level of useless waster you'd need to be to give someone heroin knowing they never had it before. Sick.

JC 2K3

It's possible to live a fairly normal and decent life as an addict, as demonstrated in the UK and ther countries where heroin is available for prescription to addicts. The cost and the impurity of the heroin is the real issue. Methadone is harder to get off than H and prescribing it is illogical.

Victor

I met her and her mother recently. A tragic case, but isn't there a problem that it is only being highlighted because she is 'normal'.

peepsbates

JC 2K3 wrote:

It's possible to live a fairly normal and decent life as an addict, as demonstrated in the UK and ther countries where heroin is available for prescription to addicts. The cost and the impurity of the heroin is the real issue. Methadone is harder to get off than H and prescribing it is illogical.

how is it normal to wake up each day shaking for a fix?

manonthemoon

Wertz wrote:

So when it's some "scumbag" or "skanger" from a council estate or high rise, they can rot in jail, but when they're from " what you would consider a decent family" it's suddenly a tragedy, scourge of drugs etc. ?
.

I think there is an element of truth here. While it is undoubtably a very sad situation for the daughter and mother, I am just wondering how come it is getting so much publicity.

Is this the first case of pretty young girl being addicted to heroin?
Is this the first case of someone developing hideous sores from intraveneous drug use?

A Wannabe Big Brother contestant who just happens to be a drug addict.

I can see another couple of interviews in a few months on Sky or TV3 about 'How she is getting her life back together with the help of her Mother and remember KIDS, SAY NO TO DRUGS

Tobias Greeshman

It was on the news yesterday, about some doctor/surgeon commenting that if she chose not to give up heroin, she may have to have both of her arms amputated.

Mossy Monk

not surprised after seeing those pictures on the news last night

Endymion

Wertz wrote:

So when it's some "scumbag" or "skanger" from a council estate or high rise, they can rot in jail, but when they're from " what you would consider a decent family" it's suddenly a tragedy, scourge of drugs etc. ?
These forums sicken me sometimes...or rather the attitudes on them do.

I guess the persumption is that she's never attacked someone, stolen, or dealt drugs to feed her habit.

Degsy

Heroin addicts are the most selfish people on earth and amongst the most convincing liars.they would say mass to get back on the streets and get some more gear into them.All they need to do is stop taking it..sure its hard and there are withdrawal symptoms but its no worse than a bad dose of flu.They're not sick,people with cancer are sick and they cant stop it any time they like,addicts can and there are no excuses.

Mossy Monk

Degsy wrote:

All they need to do is stop taking it..sure its hard and there are withdrawal symptoms but its no worse than a bad dose of flu

have you given up heroin? they sound like the words of someone who has been through it. wouldnt have seen it as being that simple. hell why is anyone addicted to anything when it is easy to give up everything

Tobias Greeshman

Degsy wrote:

Heroin addicts are the most selfish people on earth and amongst the most convincing liars.they would say mass to get back on the streets and get some more gear into them.All they need to do is stop taking it..sure its hard and there are withdrawal symptoms but its no worse than a bad dose of flu.They're not sick,people with cancer are sick and they cant stop it any time they like,addicts can and there are no excuses.

In fairness Degsy, I think that the withdrawal symptoms of Heroin are a hell of a lot worse than any flu.

Naked Lepper

Trotter wrote:

The scourge of drugs is rotting the youth of the country and I dont think enough is being done.

Yes this is true, young people are abusing drugs.

This is due to the misinformation from the schools and the parents about drugs. If we didnt have such a naieve, pre 1950 attitude towards them and maybe provided the kids with facts about drugs rather than scaremongering, then we might not have such a problem.

Kids always hear about how bad drugs are and then when they start taking soft drugs such as ecstasy or hash, they realise that its not what their elders have been describing all along at all.

We need to be honest with the kids and explain the pros, the cons, and of course the dangers if we want to have a post millenium liberal, realistic attitude and approach to solving this problem.

My 2cent, please dont feel the need to start shouting if you disagree.

Strokesfan

There are pics on this site - quite near the bottom of the page http://acrosstheboard.blogspot.com/


Yuck

lemon_of_old

Oh jesus! I thought they were tattoos for a few seconds, then realisation dawned. That's not pretty like.

Degsy

The problem is the addicts justy dont want to go through cold turkey and come offit that way.they demand methadone maintance programs and free doctor's visits and prescriptions and all the other crap the government gives them.I used to have a drink problem.I didnt find teh best way to give it up was getting the government to give me free beer.If you're on the slope you've got two choices,slip into the water or pull yourself up by your fingernails,most people are too lazy and weak to take the hard choice.

Naked Lepper

Degsy wrote:

The problem is the addicts justy dont want to go through cold turkey and come offit that way.they demand methadone maintance programs and free doctor's visits and prescriptions and all the other crap the government gives them.I used to have a drink problem.I didnt find teh best way to give it up was getting the government to give me free beer.If you're on the slope you've got two choices,slip into the water or pull yourself up by your fingernails,most people are too lazy and weak to take the hard choice.

Hardly much of a comparasim with the free beer as with methodone, they dont get a 'buzz' from it, but merely less cravings for heroin.

Degsy

Naked Lepper wrote:

Hardly much of a comparasim with the free beer as with methodone, they dont get a 'buzz' from it, but merely less cravings for heroin.

Its a very good comparasin.The alco has alcohol in his sytem,the heroin addict has opiates in thier system..to give up you need to stop taking it.BTW,you dont get a "buzz" from herion..you get a "goof",and yes,methadone(or physeptone) DOES give you a goof and "holds" you till you get some heroin into y ou.A lot of the time they get a prescription for say,1000mls and they flog it outside the treatment centre and buy herion with the money.

Terry

Degsy wrote:

Its a very good comparasin.The alco has alcohol in his sytem,the heroin addict has opiates in thier system..to give up you need to stop taking it.BTW,you dont get a "buzz" from herion..you get a "goof",and yes,methadone(or physeptone) DOES give you a goof and "holds" you till you get some heroin into y ou.A lot of the time they get a prescription for say,1000mls and they flog it outside the treatment centre and buy herion with the money.

i'm just waiting for the pro-drug, bleeding heart liberal hippy wannabe's to start attacking you about that post.

'oh no. they don't sell the methadone. they're actually nice people. why would they sell the methadone. it doesn't get you high.'

just wait for it.

Sleepy

TBH, while I can sympathise with many of the posters saying she's only getting such treatment because she's from a 'good' background, I think this is a step in the right direction. Addicts need help, not punishment.

I would be interested to know what she was locked up for though. Was it just possession of heroin or was there a serious crime involved?

Mossy Monk

she was arrested for shoplifting?

Terry

she was done for shoplifting. it was her 37th or so offence and the judge was going to send her down. she escaped from custody and was later rearrested in her own home.

Degsy

Mossy Monk wrote:

she was arrested for shoplifting?

And just imagine how much stuff she'd managed to steal in her career BEFORE she got rumbled..then imagine how many times she'd been in court BEFORE the judge got sick of looking at her and locked her up.Junkies are crime waves.

Dragan

Tbh there seems to be far too much trading of addiciton vs crime going on imo, not only on the thread, but in society as whole.

When did we come to a point that being a thief was okay because you’re a junkie….your bitten by the bug and driven to support the habit? I don't think so. Lets not forget that the very possesion of the substance she and other junkies are addicted to is illegal.

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy my odd spliffs just as much as the next guy, but am well aware that to do so is illegal. Should I ever be picked up with something on me then is my bad and I will take the wrap.

Do I rob people to support my "habit"? Nope, not at all.

Why not just right off ever drunken Saturday night assault? Sure the poor angels are drunk, they don't know what they are doing, bless em. Just like the junkies, off there face and waving that syringe about….bless his cotton socks!!!!

Get fu*king real folks.

Drug addicts are criminals at the end of the day. I am all for helping them out, but programs and such can be provided in prison as well as anywhere else.

And yeah, I completely agree that the story is only getting the attention it is because of the "nice girl gone bad" issue. If it was just another council estate kid no one would give a fu*k……which is worse.

Terry

Dragan wrote:

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy my odd spliffs just as much as the next guy, but am well aware that to do so is illegal. Should I ever be picked up with something on me then is my bad and I will take the wrap.

Do I rob people to support my "habit"? Nope, not at all.

there's a big difference between the odd spliff and a €100 a day heroin habit.
the reason they steal to support their habit is because they are too out of it to hold down a proper job and earn the money to support their habit.
heroin becomes their life. it's all they think about.
you're comparing apples and oranges here.

Dragan

julep wrote:

there's a big difference between the odd spliff and a €100 a day heroin habit.
the reason they steal to support their habit is because they are too out of it to hold down a proper job and earn the money to support their habit.
heroin becomes their life. it's all they think about.
you're comparing apples and oranges here.

My point was not a comparison between me and some poor junkie, my point was simply made to show that i am not approaching this with some holier than thou attitude.

I am well aware that i have broken the law in the past, and i will do so again around this issue. I am also perfectly willing to accept the consequences of that.

THAT is my point. If you break the law, then take your medicine and shut up about!!!!

Terry

i agree with you 100% on that aspect of it.


the more i think about this case, the less sympathy i have for this girl.
she first took heroin at 13. when i was 13 i knew that hewroin was a dangerous drug and knew to stay away from it. surely she can't have been that naive.

Dragan

julep wrote:

the more i think about this case, the less sympathy i have for this girl.
she first took heroin at 13. when i was 13 i knew that hewroin was a dangerous drug and knew to stay away from it. surely she can't have been that naive.

Bingo! Completely agree.

Degsy

In 1982 when i was a lad,there was a huge anti-heroin campaign,EVRYBODY knows how dangerous it is and they cant plead ignorance.Lets remember also that nobody held her down and stuck a needle in her arm and IF they did it takes more than one hit to get hooked so its her own bloody fault.

Terry

Degsy wrote:

In 1982 when i was a lad,there was a huge anti-heroin campaign,EVRYBODY knows how dangerous it is and they cant plead ignorance.Lets remember also that nobody held her down and stuck a needle in her arm and IF they did it takes more than one hit to get hooked so its her own bloody fault.

i think anyone over the age of 5 in 1982 can remember that campaign.
i lived across the road from a heroin addict.
he's off it now, but his head is completely fu(ked. he lives in a little fantasy world.

Victor

She realises she has a problem, her mother realises she has a problem, individual gardai, judges and others realise she has a problem.

SHE'S ILL AND SHE ISN'T GETTING CARE.

If you were told you might have your arms amputated in the morning, wouldn't you be tempted with denial?

Dermington

Degsy wrote:

Lets remember also that nobody held her down and stuck a needle in her arm and IF they did it takes more than one hit to get hooked so its her own bloody fault.

Thats a fair point, and though they most likely never forced her they appear to have put her in a position where she should never have been put it in the first place. They didn't make it any easier.

I'm not condoning any part of it though.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Victor wrote:

She realises she has a problem, her mother realises she has a problem, individual gardai, judges and others realise she has a problem.

SHE'S ILL AND SHE ISN'T GETTING CARE.

If you were told you might have your arms amputated in the morning, wouldn't you be tempted with denial?

I don't understand the point of this post...

Degsy

Victor wrote:

She realises she has a problem, her mother realises she has a problem, individual gardai, judges and others realise she has a problem.

SHE'S ILL AND SHE ISN'T GETTING CARE.

If you were told you might have your arms amputated in the morning, wouldn't you be tempted with denial?

The reason i dont have to have my arms amputated in the morning is bacause i havnt spent the last X number of years injecting myself with dirty needles and impure heroin.What exactly did this dingbat of a girl expect to be the outcome of her habit?Happy smiling faces and a big pat on the back?

Also she isnt "ill"..she's not the victim of some ramapaging virus or cancerous growth..THAT would be an illness..she's somebody who has chosen to take heroin in spite of the warnings and evrything else and now teh feckin taxpayer is supposed to pay for it?