The stereotypical drug addict portrayed on TV and in the minds of most Americans is usually a white or black male under the age of 25, homeless, dangerous, and clearly identified as an addict by his criminal behavior or psychotic demeanor. Crystal meth addicts – many don’t even have a picture of what that looks like, but assumes that he or she would be much like the original stereotype. The average American wouldn’t assume that a crystal meth addict would be in their mid-50s, happily married for decades, and financially stable with no criminal record at all.

Perhaps that’s why the case of Charles and Deborah Harley are so important to talk about. This middle aged couple appeared to the casual observer to be well-adjusted and “normal.” No one would have even considered them as possible candidates for the development of crystal meth addiction. Aged 55 and 54, respectively, the two have been married for a long time, neither has a criminal record of any kind, both have high school educations and good reputations in the community. So how did it happen?

According to the couple, both of them have been hiding issues with illicit substances for decades. Though a full blown addiction never developed in their 20s and 30s, they both knew that they had an issue with drugs. For Deborah, it was amphetamines, a substance she says she experimented with since the early ‘80s. For Charles, his primary issues were with both marijuana and cocaine, a problem he’s had since his 20s.

If the problem had been hidden for so long, what brought it to light now? Apparently, it was a new regulation put in place at local businesses that monitored the purchase of products containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, one of the primary ingredients in crystal meth. The couple had made regular purchases of the drug that put them on the radar of local authorities. A search warrant was granted based on these purchases and executed by the local drug enforcement team.

Though the Harleys initially said that they purchased the drugs to treat their allergies, they were sentenced to two years on probation for possession of methamphetamine and maintenance of a drug house. The couple were both remorseful and embarrassed to find themselves in court for drug charges.

Said Charles Harley: “You’re never too old to be foolish. I apologize to the court and my family.”

During the last week of October every year, there are a number of drug addiction and trafficking awareness events that happen across the country in honor or Red Ribbon Week.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, the first national Red Ribbon Week happened in 1988 and began well before that in communities across the country to commemorate the work of Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena. Special Agent Camarena had worked for the DEA for 11 years and was assigned to Guadalajara, Mexico. He was working to take down a multi-billion dollar pipeline that trafficked marijuana and cocaine out of the country and into the United States and around the world. However, on February 7, 1985, Special Agent Camarena was kidnapped, tortured and killed by the drug traffickers he was working to expose. It was an event that rocked the United States and helped many Americans to understand the deadly nature of the drug addiction business and how it affects those beyond the person struggling with the addiction, beyond the families of addicted loved ones, and beyond the communities who must pay for the damage caused by active drug addiction. Drug addiction is a worldwide issue and one that is deadly to all involved. Red Ribbon Week seeks to remember that fact, raise awareness, and use the opportunity to remember Special Agent Camarena and re-focus attention on the goal of a drug-free country and a drug-free world.

The National Family Partnership says that more than 80 million Americans take part in Red Ribbon Week events each year. There are essay and poster contests, drug-free races, the wearing of red ribbons, parades, and other events designed to raise awareness and prevent drug addiction while promoting drug addiction treatment for those who are already struggling with the issue.

How do we keep the community spirit and focus on drug addiction prevention alive all year around? Here are some ideas:

• Drug awareness and prevention in the schools as part of an ongoing effort to fight addiction
• Community activism designed to reach out to kids and parents to promote awareness
• Ongoing outreach services to those currently living with drug addiction

What do you suggest? What do you think would help keep the spirit of Red Ribbon Week alive throughout the year and help to fight the worldwide drug trafficking and addiction problem that Special Agent Camarena gave his life for.

Research in the area of drug addiction treatment is heavily focused on the medications that make it more possible for patients to quickly stop abusing their drug of choice, more safely and efficiently get through withdrawal symptoms, and more effectively fight drug cravings and avoid relapse. One of the latest plants under the microscope is the African plant iboga. Ibogaine is the substance derived from this plant and one that may have healing properties that address the issues associated with opiate addiction that make it so difficult to walk away from.

The possible positive side of ibogaine is that it has been shown to help patients deal with the physical aspect of drug addiction and may have a significant effect on interrupting withdrawal symptoms.

The somewhat more dubious claim is that, because ibogaine is a psychedelic drug, the patient who takes it may no longer experience withdrawal symptoms but will certainly go on a 36-hour “trip.” Some report that this experience is characterized by a visit from a “plant spirit” who helps the user to understand why they began abusing drugs and provides them with guidance to avoid returning to drug addiction when the ibogaine wears off.

It is perhaps due in part to the fact that these claims are widely unverifiable that the iboga plant and ibogaine are not used in drug addiction treatment here in the United States. It is most definitely due to the fact that the drug is a psychedelic that the drug is illegal for any use in this country – and has been since it was banned along with other psychedelics like mescaline, DMT, LSD under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.

The studies that are being done are reportedly happening in other parts of the world, like Western Africa, where the drug is often used in shamanic ceremonies and, in lower doses, to treat certain ailments. However, some say that the drug has been found on the underground, passed around for its psychedelic uses as well as its drug addiction treatment properties and even in a handful of drug addiction treatment centers in Mexico, New Zealand, and Holland.

Arguments for using the drug in addiction treatment programs are not helped by the fact that a number of people have died while under its influence. However, a US-based study of the drug is being conducted by Santa Cruz Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in Mexico and soon in New Zealand.

The state of Florida has a skyrocketing state prison budget, in part, due to loopholes in their mandatory sentencing laws that need to be closed so only individuals engaged in truly criminal acts are being locked up. In just 5 years, the number of inmates has risen 20 percent and nearly 10 percent of the whole state budget goes to fund the prison system.

This ever-increasing budget for correctional facilities is causing people to take notice and shed some light on many necessary reforms needed in the system. Mandatory sentencing is one area currently receiving a lot of attention. Florida has some of the most stringent mandatory sentencing laws in the country, especially for prescription drugs. The original intention of these laws, to put criminals behind bars, may be getting lost in the application.

Weight of Pills Instead of Quantity of Illegal Substance Causes Inflated Sentences

One case in Florida that is a perfect example of the ineffective and potentially harmful process of mandatory sentencing is that of 43 year-old Todd Hannigan. Sadly, in a severe depression, Hannigan was looking to commit suicide. He stole 31of his mother’s prescription opiates, bought some beer and was starting to take the lethal combination at a local park when a police officer caught him. Since the pills, containing hydrocodone, in his possession weighed 22 grams he was automatically sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The amount of hydrocodone in all the pills actually totaled .23 grams with the rest of the weight being due to aspirin and fillers that form the pill, but he was imprisoned due to the state law anyhow. This illustrates just one of the many loopholes in the mandatory sentencing laws that need to be reformed for the mental health of our citizens. Rather than wasting away in a prison cell on taxpayer’s dime, Hannigan could have been sentenced to rehab and become a productive member of society.

Proposed Reforms For Mandatory Drug Sentencing in Florida

The judge in Hannigan’s case admitted freely the sentence was completely inappropriate, but due to state law he was powerless to tailor his ruling to fit the situation. Reformers want more control given back to judges so they can analyze individual cases and do their job in providing fair sentencing.

Both Florida TaxWatch and Collins Center for Public Policy (CCPP) have targeted much needed changes to mandatory sentencing laws in their reports. CCPP has created “Smart Justice” with suggestions on how to fix Florida’s unjust and costly prison system.

What do you think of mandatory sentencing for drug offenses? Do you think, besides large drug traffickers, most drug offenses deserve prison time or mental health and addiction rehab?

It’s not an uncommon thing for a family court judge to demand: parents with drug abuse and addiction histories may be required to take drug tests in order to maintain custody of their children. It’s something that both Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller were required to do, according to TMZ. And also according to TMZ, that requirement has been removed from their agreement, meaning neither one now has to undergo drug testing in order to maintain custody of their children – mildly troubling given the drug history of both celebs. In the face of Sheen’s increasingly erratic behavior and Mueller repeated trips to drug rehab, it seems like revoking that particular order was a little premature.

But what about when it happens to you? How do you handle it and how do you earn the trust of the judge?

Child Custody Decisions are Made for the Benefit of the Child

Remember that the judge did not order you to undergo drug testing to be vindictive or judgmental. Chances are, he or she made the decision based on the fact that you have a history of drug and/ or alcohol addiction or knowing that you were released from drug rehab within the past year. Both of these factors makes you a high risk for relapse – and therefore, a risk for your children.

Family court judges know that children fare best when being raised by their parents, unless those parents are living with an active addiction. Drug testing is done purely to ensure that the children are being cared for properly and to make sure that they have attentive caregivers. It’s impossible to be that person if you are high, and hopefully, the threat of drug testing and losing your children will be one more reason to stay clean and sober and avoid relapse.

Earning Your Way Out of Drug Testing Requirements

In most cases, if you can demonstrate that you are clean and sober for six months to a year, that you can continually provide your children with a safe and secure place to live, and that your children are doing well and thriving in your care, then most judges will relax their drug testing requirements. You may still have occasional visits from a state employee or be required to check in every six months or so with the family court judge and provide proof that you are still employed and that the children are doing well in school, but over time, the court will recognize your good faith efforts and allow you to continue in the new life that you’ve created for yourself and your family.

What has your experience been with family court after drug addiction treatment? Do you believe that the system is fairly set up to support the best interest of the kids? Leave us a comment!