We watched Mark struggle. We saw when he was using, we saw when he was clean. He needed help. He got it. As long as he was on our insurance. Sorry kid, you're on your own now! Off parents insurance after 26. Mark got his own insurance and he was fine for a while for getting suboxen. He went to inside treatment, outside treatment. At the time of treatment he couldn't work. Lost job. No insurance. No suboxen. It was working. He tried Kratom, herbs, anything to help him not go through withdrawal again. He went through withdrawal twice. Very painful.
June 1st, 2019, Mark was sick. Desperate. Begged for heroin. Without his knowledge, he got fentanyl - died. He did not want this. What saves me is that I know he knew and loved his Lord Jesus Christ. He suffers no more. Me? Yes, I am bitter. Me? Yes I want justice. This doesn't mean I hate. There's no room in my heart for hatred because Jesus is there first. But what was done to my son was nothing but murder. Most just don't understand. The ones who have lost a child from substance abuse disorder do understand. We must stand tall for these indiviuals who have this disorder. The stigma of addiction must be stopped. These individuals need help, not judgement.
Writing about Mark is the only way we can live with this. His smile - his wonderful, giving nature cannot be forgotten. He was a good man!
I want you to know that I support you and respect you greatly for the difficult story you are telling about your intelligent, kind and handsome son Mark. I strongly believe it is going to save lives. God bless you for doing this and being so open about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your encouraging words.
DeleteI wish I had the right words to comfort you, Leigh, but I just can't find them. I know your comfort comes from your faith. You and Chuck are still in my prayers of course. God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI did not realize that my name would not show up. The above post is from Kathy Ahlberg.
DeletePraying for you
ReplyDeleteComments from my facebook post:
ReplyDeleteMelissa Ierlan
Leigh Kinsey, I admire you for taking up his cause and giving him a voice. Hopefully this will help others who need the strength to carry on and help their loved ones overcome this horrible disease.
Jason Andrew Doran-Luehm
Leigh Kinsey could I share this?
Leigh Kinsey Yes, spread the word.
Linda Mills Leigh.thanks for sharing this. More treatment needs to be made available for people without insurance. Who can afford the cost of suboxin (900 dollars for 1 month) without insurance.
Christine Darling Shade Linda Mills NY has several facilities that give treatment without insurance. They then work to make sure patients have insurance before they leave. At least Norris does or I will not sign off on their discharge. There are also other treatment options besides Suboxone. Suboxone is also now generic, making it less expensive. Please contact the Open Access center located on West Main if you know someone who needs treatment. Now is the “slow season “ as those who do not want treatment are able to live outside. Fall, winter and early spring are more crowded times.
Leigh Kinsey Christine Darling Shade wish we or Mark had known about this. Should be very publicized. Mark did go to Norris.
Linda Mills Depends on where you live in NY. Small rural communities lack services and transportation for people without cars. Not easy knowing where to look or go for help. Thanks for sharing this info.
Christine Darling Shade Leigh Kinsey unfortunately it is hard to get the word out in this city. He could have come back. However, you are getting the word out and will help save other lives
Christine Darling Shade Linda Mills it does, but if the person is willing, there is Naltrexone and Vivitrol. Anyone can prescribe it and the injection lasts 28 days. Call, research, ask, and call again. The OASAS website is also a reference for treatment and families who are lost in this maze.
Linda Mills Thanks for this info. Hope it helps anyone who is looking for help.
Leigh Kinsey Christine Darling Shade yes he could have a come back but at that time Noris was not helping him. OK this information should be put out more publicly. I am only one person and if this information helpsOthers then that would be great. Just wish it were there for my Mark. In most facilities like Norris, there was drug smuggling coming in. It was mandatory for most to be there or they would go to jail. Mark lasted there for 2 weeks only. He wanted help - not that.
Charles Kinsey This is the issue. Big city versus small town. There are not enough resources allocated to the small communities where often there are no transportation systems. So how does someone get to these clinics? Certainly not on a bus system - does not exist! I have said it before - police stations, public health departments, even fire stations could be distribution points for suboxone in our small rural communities. This would make a difference! Instead of looking for a fix, people could get suboxone to kill the craving.
Christine Darling Shade Smuggling happens everywhere. We do our best, but we are not allowed cavity or even strip searching. There isn’t anyplace it doesn’t happen. The jails send people to treatment, but most are not willing to accept it and truly to just live out treatment to get less or no jail time. This disease is a demon and whispers in their ears all the time.
Christine Darling Shade And no, police stations and health departments cannot be distribution centers for Suboxone. This is not a benign medication. It had side effects and dangers just like methadone. Special DEA licensing is required. I had to have extensive training to be able to prescribe it and trust me, you want that in place. The medication is only a help with cravings and withdrawal. It is not a cure. There is no cure. Sober supports, peer supports, going to meetings and being part of a program are the most helpful. Medication is only a help.
Leigh Kinsey Mark did it all and no, there is no cure.