The drug using homeless groups in California are roaming caravans moving to whatever location offering them the best weather, social workers catering to their craves and the safest streets. They are moving to San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas in a pattern that you could also pin point what advantages were there to their drug use at that particular time. They are homeless by choice and even by a drug induced style of libertarianism ideology. They refuse therapy and rehab and move from areas and cities which push rehab. Portland and Seattle are part of this parasitical train but the winters are not appreciated there and the drug train heads south. Under Las Vegas are huge and long tunnels for containing the flash flooding aspects of living in the desert. You do not want to go in those tunnels. It is the underground drug bazaar and the resulting violence it maintains. No cop in his right mind wants to enter those tunnels. The only cure has been the very sudden onslaught of flash flooding. That is why there is a surge of the drug train away from Vegas during the monsoonal period of weather.
In the past heroin usage was always manageable unless the heroin was laced with by products like rat poison and this has been the major problem with heroin and especially now spiked with fentanyl. But crack cocaine was the monster that there was almost no way to come back from. It sparked a violence and addiction that had not been seen and rehab was extremely unsuccessful.
Therapy in the United States was drastically changed in the late 60's when psychiatrists frustrated with the slow development and interaction with patients developed "pharmaceutical cures" for expediency and a higher profit. Those so-called cures destroyed the patient. It has cascaded from then to the insane quest for cures by pills. To destroy this deadly cycle, there would have to be a complete change on how we view medicine and our responsibility for improving our lives. Social workers cannot overcome this desire for instant pharmaceutical magic and the immense profit that is involved in pharmaceutical medicine which has destroyed psychiatry.
Thanks there Tom. I always look forward to your takes because they are interesting and not predictable - you are an independent thinker with a broad range of views on different issues and not just one slate of tribal opinions. I had never heard about the tunnels under Vegas but that sounds like a crazy story. I think what you say about the change in the 1960s to "pharmaceutical cures" is very interesting. America's addiction crisis is linked to big pharma in very profound ways, beyond just the Oxycontin scandal. It is notable though that Mexico also over-medicates but doesn't have anything like the level of addiction crisis - although there is one here and a harsh level of barrio reaction to it as the anexos show...
Thanks for the comments and you reminded me of my aunt who was upset at my independence and called me "an uncaged rabid beast". I took it as a compliment which pissed her off even more.
One more important detail I forget about in the pursuit of pharmaceutical cures. The UCLA School of Violence always tried to search for any medical solution to eliminate human violence and those solutions extended from electro-shock therapy, lobotomies, psycho drug cocktails and human gene manipulation. So there was a massive movement to change human behavior medically and surgically and that propensity is still very prevalent now. Classical psychology and psychiatry has been abandoned for the permanent destruction of the human body and mind. Thus the fascination of merging the mechanical with the human especially since there using actual human brain matter in conjunction with a robotic structure and electrical nerve center. Who knew Frankenstein was a true literary warning to mankind.
Ahh, family political debates getting heavy - happened a few times to me. Interesting thoughts on "Classical psychology and psychiatry has been abandoned for the permanent destruction of the human body and mind..."
New Mexico! Now famous because of breaking bad! Definitely a beautiful dry desert state with Mexican american culture. I do like how every american border state has its own unique culture. California is mellow and beach oriented, Arizona is desert and mountain and heat. New Mexico is pretty much like Arizona and Texas with its large open plains and cowboy gun culture
I loved the first season of Breaking Bad - but didn't like it when it later got too into the Mexican cartel stuff, which was a bit too cheesy (corny) and unrealistic for me...
Yeah I admit the Mexico scenes aren't exactly authentic. Granted they shot most of the Mexico scenes in New Mexico. And the spanish from gus fring is kind of off. Because the actor is not a native speaker. And it's an American show so it has American sensibilities
Also gus fring was supposed to be a chilean immigrant but does chile even have afro Chileans? It would have made more sense to make him Colombian or dominican. Either way I like how it's alluted to in the series that he may have escaped chile during the Pinochet years. And as you know Pinochet shot drug dealers
The most underrated crime show was The Shield. This show encapsulated the whole insane corruption of law enforcement in Southern California especially the crime and gang units. If you can believe this, critics criticized the show for over the top violence like gangs dismembering bodies which became a reality that nobody ever anticipated. The show is the fictional, almost real, showcase of Southern California's dark underbelly. A remarkable trip through memory lane watching it even today.
Pinochet killed more then drug dealers and that was always used as an excuse for anybody that was connected to or supported Allende. Chile issued a report recently estimating the Pinochet was responsible for up to 40,000 deaths.
You always present these amazing episodes into different aspects of this culture. I sought some education into drugs, especially how to deal with users, as that was something I ran into a lot during my “security years”. Fortunately I left that prior to fetanyal becoming prevalent.
That was such an incredible interview. I will seek out her books to learn more. Thanks again.
Actually the belligerent people were easy. It’s the coming in at 2 am and finding your client lying in the shower turning blue with a needle in the arm that is workplace pressure.
Wow Catholic discipline- Watch twice = The Entire History on The Jesuit Order plus The Plans of World Dominance full length documentary located on YouTube
Thanks there Kathlean, I'll check it out. Although I guess in a way the anexos are a bit quasi Catholic as in not directly run by the mainstream Church. All best there.
Ioan and Angela, thanks for the interesting conversation.
New Mexico's overdose rate of 51 to 100,000 (pop.) gives South Africa's murder rate competition. And that West Virginia is way worse, is frightening. Of course, miraculously, it's again not a major election issue.
That documentary you mentioned is 'Swansea Love Story'. I'll watch it this week. Readers can find it in parts on YouTube, or in full at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4qvo73
Thanks there Mike H. Yes that documentary was great and one of the best things Vice ever did. Is dying of bullets worse than dying of an overdose I wonder or are they equally bad? Like You can avoid the overdose by not taking but a stray bullet might get you. A question to think on... All best there friend.
unfortunately 'The El Salvador model' can't be ignored forever. I had a very good friend, who could benefit from a year+ in the Austin state hospital (they treat mental health) Currently a 1+ yr wait for inmates... plus a friends brother, the years, take its toll. Its time for a national approach, funding whats worked in some communities. Something like The Humane Society, But for Human beings.
I never thought I'd save anything like this, But Its how USA needs to treat its psychotic homeless crazies, Long, LONG time, care....I recently read the the newer, Non ephedrine based meth, caused very high levels of schizophrenia, making people want to isolate in their tents, vs the ephedrine based (a Vocational drug) made people Highly sociable.
That would be an extreme approach. But I do agreed the synthetics have totally changed the problem and people, both addicts and their families, are really suffering.
The drug using homeless groups in California are roaming caravans moving to whatever location offering them the best weather, social workers catering to their craves and the safest streets. They are moving to San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas in a pattern that you could also pin point what advantages were there to their drug use at that particular time. They are homeless by choice and even by a drug induced style of libertarianism ideology. They refuse therapy and rehab and move from areas and cities which push rehab. Portland and Seattle are part of this parasitical train but the winters are not appreciated there and the drug train heads south. Under Las Vegas are huge and long tunnels for containing the flash flooding aspects of living in the desert. You do not want to go in those tunnels. It is the underground drug bazaar and the resulting violence it maintains. No cop in his right mind wants to enter those tunnels. The only cure has been the very sudden onslaught of flash flooding. That is why there is a surge of the drug train away from Vegas during the monsoonal period of weather.
In the past heroin usage was always manageable unless the heroin was laced with by products like rat poison and this has been the major problem with heroin and especially now spiked with fentanyl. But crack cocaine was the monster that there was almost no way to come back from. It sparked a violence and addiction that had not been seen and rehab was extremely unsuccessful.
Therapy in the United States was drastically changed in the late 60's when psychiatrists frustrated with the slow development and interaction with patients developed "pharmaceutical cures" for expediency and a higher profit. Those so-called cures destroyed the patient. It has cascaded from then to the insane quest for cures by pills. To destroy this deadly cycle, there would have to be a complete change on how we view medicine and our responsibility for improving our lives. Social workers cannot overcome this desire for instant pharmaceutical magic and the immense profit that is involved in pharmaceutical medicine which has destroyed psychiatry.
Thanks there Tom. I always look forward to your takes because they are interesting and not predictable - you are an independent thinker with a broad range of views on different issues and not just one slate of tribal opinions. I had never heard about the tunnels under Vegas but that sounds like a crazy story. I think what you say about the change in the 1960s to "pharmaceutical cures" is very interesting. America's addiction crisis is linked to big pharma in very profound ways, beyond just the Oxycontin scandal. It is notable though that Mexico also over-medicates but doesn't have anything like the level of addiction crisis - although there is one here and a harsh level of barrio reaction to it as the anexos show...
Thanks for the comments and you reminded me of my aunt who was upset at my independence and called me "an uncaged rabid beast". I took it as a compliment which pissed her off even more.
One more important detail I forget about in the pursuit of pharmaceutical cures. The UCLA School of Violence always tried to search for any medical solution to eliminate human violence and those solutions extended from electro-shock therapy, lobotomies, psycho drug cocktails and human gene manipulation. So there was a massive movement to change human behavior medically and surgically and that propensity is still very prevalent now. Classical psychology and psychiatry has been abandoned for the permanent destruction of the human body and mind. Thus the fascination of merging the mechanical with the human especially since there using actual human brain matter in conjunction with a robotic structure and electrical nerve center. Who knew Frankenstein was a true literary warning to mankind.
Ahh, family political debates getting heavy - happened a few times to me. Interesting thoughts on "Classical psychology and psychiatry has been abandoned for the permanent destruction of the human body and mind..."
New Mexico! Now famous because of breaking bad! Definitely a beautiful dry desert state with Mexican american culture. I do like how every american border state has its own unique culture. California is mellow and beach oriented, Arizona is desert and mountain and heat. New Mexico is pretty much like Arizona and Texas with its large open plains and cowboy gun culture
I loved the first season of Breaking Bad - but didn't like it when it later got too into the Mexican cartel stuff, which was a bit too cheesy (corny) and unrealistic for me...
Yeah I admit the Mexico scenes aren't exactly authentic. Granted they shot most of the Mexico scenes in New Mexico. And the spanish from gus fring is kind of off. Because the actor is not a native speaker. And it's an American show so it has American sensibilities
I liked the Cholos in New Mexico though...
Yeah tuco was crazy. He was like the Mexican version of Joe pesci from goodfellas lol
Also gus fring was supposed to be a chilean immigrant but does chile even have afro Chileans? It would have made more sense to make him Colombian or dominican. Either way I like how it's alluted to in the series that he may have escaped chile during the Pinochet years. And as you know Pinochet shot drug dealers
Yeah, he was a weird choice of character. I guess a lot of people love it. But I am more The Wire, Sopranos...
The most underrated crime show was The Shield. This show encapsulated the whole insane corruption of law enforcement in Southern California especially the crime and gang units. If you can believe this, critics criticized the show for over the top violence like gangs dismembering bodies which became a reality that nobody ever anticipated. The show is the fictional, almost real, showcase of Southern California's dark underbelly. A remarkable trip through memory lane watching it even today.
Was tony wacked in the end? What do you think?
Great series I love marathoning all of them
The sopranos was very much a landmark in cable TV. I couldn't stand any character on the sopranos they were all vile people lol
Pinochet killed more then drug dealers and that was always used as an excuse for anybody that was connected to or supported Allende. Chile issued a report recently estimating the Pinochet was responsible for up to 40,000 deaths.
A truly brutal coup.
No ioan I get all my knowledge from cartels from breaking bad, sicario, and narcos!!!!! 😂
Ha ha. My knowledge of America was Friends and Blood In, Blood Out...
Ugh friends is so overrated
Jennifer aniston is cute though
You always present these amazing episodes into different aspects of this culture. I sought some education into drugs, especially how to deal with users, as that was something I ran into a lot during my “security years”. Fortunately I left that prior to fetanyal becoming prevalent.
That was such an incredible interview. I will seek out her books to learn more. Thanks again.
Ah man, I don't envy you dealing with beligerent people off their head. Tough stuff to handle. Always good to hear your voice here.
Actually the belligerent people were easy. It’s the coming in at 2 am and finding your client lying in the shower turning blue with a needle in the arm that is workplace pressure.
Ah man, that is nuts. So you had to learn emergency medical aid for an OD? You earned You money brother.
Wow Catholic discipline- Watch twice = The Entire History on The Jesuit Order plus The Plans of World Dominance full length documentary located on YouTube
Thanks there Kathlean, I'll check it out. Although I guess in a way the anexos are a bit quasi Catholic as in not directly run by the mainstream Church. All best there.
Thank you for @ the least check that full length documentary out.
Absolutely - on the list. Great to have your voice here.
Mmm. I received the same comment.
Ioan and Angela, thanks for the interesting conversation.
New Mexico's overdose rate of 51 to 100,000 (pop.) gives South Africa's murder rate competition. And that West Virginia is way worse, is frightening. Of course, miraculously, it's again not a major election issue.
That documentary you mentioned is 'Swansea Love Story'. I'll watch it this week. Readers can find it in parts on YouTube, or in full at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4qvo73
Thanks there Mike H. Yes that documentary was great and one of the best things Vice ever did. Is dying of bullets worse than dying of an overdose I wonder or are they equally bad? Like You can avoid the overdose by not taking but a stray bullet might get you. A question to think on... All best there friend.
I’ll try both, and tell you next week.
This getting into rather gallows humor. I'll stick to tacos and cerveza. Stay well there Mike H!
And of course the cal mex vs tex mex rivalry
I guess you are firmly in the Cal Mex camp on that one? Or do you respect the Tex Mex camp, which I gather are a bit more conservative?
I'm not to happy with cali politics right now. It has sort of gone of the rails. And we had arnold schwarzenegger as our governor before lol
Oh know I just meant the Mexican food that is made in both states lol. But I actually admire and respect texas politics.
Ahh, which is better? In my experience it is some of the Mexican restaurants deep in L.A. like in Florence...
I've haven't been to Texas yet but I hear cal mex is better.
unfortunately 'The El Salvador model' can't be ignored forever. I had a very good friend, who could benefit from a year+ in the Austin state hospital (they treat mental health) Currently a 1+ yr wait for inmates... plus a friends brother, the years, take its toll. Its time for a national approach, funding whats worked in some communities. Something like The Humane Society, But for Human beings.
Yeah, interesting thought. I should get deeper into this and talk to people with different views and experience on compulsory rehab in the US...
I never thought I'd save anything like this, But Its how USA needs to treat its psychotic homeless crazies, Long, LONG time, care....I recently read the the newer, Non ephedrine based meth, caused very high levels of schizophrenia, making people want to isolate in their tents, vs the ephedrine based (a Vocational drug) made people Highly sociable.
That would be an extreme approach. But I do agreed the synthetics have totally changed the problem and people, both addicts and their families, are really suffering.