[Apparelyzed]

So, nice way to get a message accross about Meth abuse?

Hmmm, guess this will start a discussion going!


"I wish my tire had blown out that night
I wish my car had skidded off the road.
I wish I’d broken my neck, I wish I’d been crippled.
But I didn’t crash. I drove to that party, and I did meth for the first time.
I did meth...and now this is my life...this is my life. "

Legal: Sponsored by Office of National Drug Control Policy/Creative furnished
by The Meth Project

To see the video, click the link below and select "Crash".

http://www.methresou...meth/flash.html

[AuntLinda]

I "wish" people wouldn't make brainless commercials. Really, who thinks meth is a good idea? Whoever thought of the commercial probably doesn't know one sci person.

Even though I am AB, I find the "Crash" commercial insulting and arrogant.

[Tim13]

Think if i had to choose, I'd go with the meth. There are lots of treatments that cure drug addiction.

[sweetie]

I'm with aunt Linda on this one what an insult. I do not know much about drugs but with help, some people manage to turn there lifes around.
Break your neck well we know the out come of that.

[rjourney]

it's sad that it was put together by a goverment agency... the good ol' government. why am i surprised??

people just have no idea.

[KarenFerguson]

Geez. Here's what hubby said after watching the ad:

"So, apparently our society thinks that breaking your neck, being crippled & being wheelchair bound is just slightly better than lying helpless covered in soars and addicted to meth. Well, at least we have that going for us."

Wouldn't it be ironic if she became crippled and then couldn't deal with it & became addicted to meth anyway? That would be an awesome ad.

Silly government.

[kewlcatkez]

Well, its certainly achieving the 'shock' factor that many of these ads go for....

but

well, its an insult to screen it. I can bet that if this was actually said by a girl/someone ( as opposed to being fabricated for shock value by a researcher) that they haven't had any experience of those living with a SCI. In particular those with a high lesion (determined by the fact the ad focuses upon 'broken [my] neck').

"Playing off" serious disability against "addiction". I agree with those above, addiction can be somewhat tackled and lives turned around.

[smokymtn memories]

I find it appalling and a disgrace. One thing has absolutely nothing to do with the other.

Use the grim reaper if you need a something to compare it to.

[rkzenrage]

I read an article some time back about a show that was on one of the cable channels.
Reality show about some motivational speakers who would live like different people for a period of time then give inspirational talks on their lives.
They did disabled people.
First of all they refused to do it for the full time period and one said, inspirationally I guess, that if she had to live in a chair that she would kill herself.

[kewlcatkez]

rkzenrage, on Oct 27 2007, 08:40 PM, said:

I read an article some time back about a show that was on one of the cable channels.
Reality show about some motivational speakers who would live like different people for a period of time then give inspirational talks on their lives.
They did disabled people.
First of all they refused to do it for the full time period and one said, inspirationally I guess, that if she had to live in a chair that she would kill herself.

Hi rkzenrage,
I have heard that last line before:

Quote

if she had to live in a chair that she would kill herself

I have had people say it to me. I think a balance has to be found. Some people use this as an excuse as to why our lives are worthless...then we have the Meth ad at the other end of the spectrum who feel SCI/permanant (mobility, ADL affecting) disability is nothing in comparison to (their) addiction,

I put my view re the ad above. I feel it is out of order. One thing which has struck me though ~ they should ask someone who has lived through both which they feel is worse/what they would rather.


K

This post has been edited by kewlcatkez: 27 October 2007 - 07:53 PM

[rkzenrage]

The saddest thing is that it was her job to see the best in the situation...

[khalgren77]

I haveen't checked the ad out yet but it would be like camparing apples to a chair....duh!
If I had had a choice- we would have never gone on a ride that Nov day! I would never take drugs either...SHE had a choice as did we....fortunatly SHE can get help and me "normal" again...."I" have no choice....I have to live with being a para the rest of my life....people have NO idea!
When I visit my son's school the kids all come and talk to me during recess and say things like I prayed for you last night. ask how I am feeling...several say oh wow I would love to sit and ride in a wheelchair all day! No honey, you don't! I would rather be like you running, jumping and playing all day! It gets very tiring! I can't climb trees, mountains or lay on the ground and play barbies or trucks......they soon change their minds wish me well and off to play again, until the next time I'm there! I love those kids! They can be easily talked back into reality unlike some adults!

added: I just watched the video- Pretty sad! I also sent a comment to them about it! Here is what I said!
I find the CRASH video APPAULING and VERY INSULTING! SHE had a choice yes but to compare it with someone who is crippled is WRONG! WE didn't have a choice! SHE can get help! It's almost like you say oh it's ok to be in an accident and become disabled instead of becoming addicted to Meth....IT'S NOT!
If I had a choice I would rather be on Meth because I know there is help out there to get off of it! I know there isn't help to ever make me walk again...

This post has been edited by khalgren77: 27 October 2007 - 10:58 PM

[Lucydog]

Am I the only person not to feel insulted by this? Yes we all have a choice, and yes we all make wrong choices but how many of us here were drinking and driving, driving too fast, not wearing a seat belt, or just doing something else dangerous but stupid? But hey its not going to happen to me right? Its always someone else. Drug addicts start in exactly the same way, sure they know the risks, but no on starts out to be an addict, it is not a life choice ad no one thinks it will happen to them.

Addiction is one of the worst things ever. Do you know anyone with a serious addiction? I can tell you it takes everything you ever had, Your mind, your health, your job, friends, family, house, your very soul, at the end of the day, we are not living on the streets with no where to go. And as for treatment, well Im sure there are millions of treatment programmes waiting for people just to turn up in the US, in Britain you are not so lucky.

Addiction of any kind is a serious mental health issue. It is underfunded and ignored. We are lucky. SCI gets a lot of funding and publicity comparitively.

If I had a choice I would take my wheels any day over addiction. We should stop taking the moral high ground, we dont have a monopoly on suffering.

As for the film, I thnk the commentary is fine, the film would have been better showing a wheelchair user in a normal life situation.

Thats my 2 pence worth.

[kewlcatkez]

Lucydog, on Oct 28 2007, 10:51 AM, said:

Addiction is one of the worst things ever. Do you know anyone with a serious addiction?

Hi,

First off I am in the UK so I know where you are coming from re: the lack of facilities..

I do agree with you in part, that is why I said it was a thought to ask someone who has lived through both things.

However, they are two totally different situations imo, yes there are similarities but they are still different.
I for one don't think that I take the moral high ground, nor do i have the monopoly on pain and disability! I actually DO have a lot of pain and the like, like many people and I think it gives me more empathy. I certainly don't feel I am better than those with addictive personalities or addiction whether based on cognitive factors or otherwise. I have worked with many with various addictions, in both an acute ( CCU) setting and whikst a student in a Mental Health hospital with a specialist ward.
I still feel the video was insensitive and uncalled for really. Playing one dis off with another isn't fair imo.

As for the question, yes I have, both personally ( in family) and a childhood friend.. and also Professionally ( as an RN, pls see above).

Although there are factors which can be compared and perhaps are greater in one group or the other, I feel that this was an unwise choice to use this subject in the ad. It is very clever though as it did "shock" at least the disabled community and also its a talking point.



Have a good day

K

edited to add, although I take your point regarding those who make ( even subconscious) choices and end up disabled. There are manty people who are disabled being on the receiving end of a tanked up driver/pedestrian/dr! lol ( not always drugs but booze prescription drugs etc etc). Of course as you are aware, there are also those who are injured/disabled and no matter what choices they make it would probably be this way. Just wanted to add this to the mix too!

This post has been edited by kewlcatkez: 28 October 2007 - 11:33 AM

[Nichole]

I have been waiting to comment on this for a few days because this topic is very upsetting to me, and really hits close to home in more ways than one.
Someone who is very close to me is addicted to meth right now. I loved this person very much, but meth has taken away his whole identity. He had been a "recovering" addict for over a year now, but he just relapsed very recently. I can not explain to you the pain that this drug has caused him, his family, his friends, and myself. He is ruining his career, his health, his relationships, and his entire life. He wants to stop, and is getting help, but he still can't stop.
I obviously live the other side of this story, and in my honest opinion I would much rather deal with what I have to in my daily life than be addicted to this awful drug. This drug is the kind that destroys your mind, and no matter how screwed up my body is, at least I have not lost my identity, and my soul.
I completely understand where you are all coming from that this ad bothers you. When I watched it I honestly cried, not because I felt insulted, but because the impact both of these horrible things (paralysis and addiction) have had on my life. I just wanted to give my insight, and hopefully bring a little light to the situation from someone who knows all too well the other side of this story.

This post has been edited by Nichole: 29 October 2007 - 11:22 PM

[crash.ca]

I just couldn't stop myself from sending a message to the website regarding the Meth Project....
"CHOICE...CHOICE...CHOICE..."!!!

[dave420atya]

Meth could have saved me ! I fell asleep at the wheel. I did this to myself. No one was in the car with me and I didn't hit any one.I'm dealing with it. I think I would feel worse if I did this to some one else.

[megatrig]

KarenFerguson, on Oct 27 2007, 06:31 AM, said:

Geez. Here's what hubby said after watching the ad:

"So, apparently our society thinks that breaking your neck, being crippled & being wheelchair bound is just slightly better than lying helpless covered in soars and addicted to meth. Well, at least we have that going for us."

Wouldn't it be ironic if she became crippled and then couldn't deal with it & became addicted to meth anyway? That would be an awesome ad.

Silly government.

Ditto with a wry smile!!!

Deeeeeep Sigh .. I really can't put into words the odd thoughts this throws up....

but it is essentially .insulting to any SCI's . well me thinks

This post has been edited by megatrig: 31 October 2007 - 07:49 PM

[wheeliebear75]

Well I have a couple of points I'd like to make on this.

It would be nice if people would stop thinking of being "crippled" as being one step removed from death. I know part of my issue with needing a wheelchair (@ 1st) was primarily due to my perception of it.

Yes some of us made some not so smart choices that led to our SCI..........but that's not the majority of us(I think). I think it's pretty safe to say that if you've attended public school or watched any of the major television stations you've seen and heard enough PSAs and ant-drug slogans.........it should register that drugs..........don't lead to greatness. So why start? I've never had a problem with drugs but I have a hard time viewing the junkie as a total victim. This isn't to say I don't feel for their plight...........but it is however very much self inflicted. The other difference between even an accident that was caused by lack of judgment............it was ONE instance of................not weeks of repeated car accidents or jumping off the high dive. I went out to dinner to celebrate my Aunt Lee's birthday. I was going out for steak dinner..........not a syringe full of drugs.

I suppose the medical world may some day "cure" us & our only problem will be trying to rebuild wasting muscles. Not too say that completing a drug treatment is easy by any means. However more people recover from drug addiction than do from Spinal Cord damage. Sure we get sympathy where as most addicts are shunned.

Here is something for those people who feel "they'd be better off crippled"...........how do they think they'd deal with the crap of SCI? If life as an AB was so hard to deal with that they felt they needed an escape badly enough that they try drugs............um SCI aint no stroll through the park! It sucks on many levels that ABs wouldn't even begin to think about. So if someone had to face a lifelong battle just to get dressed or find bathroom routines that work...........they'd crack. This is why I think the statement about wishing she'd been crippled is so damn STUPID!