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If you wish to submit an article or your story for publication, you may
send to the E-mail address following, or it may be sent by snail mail to P.O. Box
164, Davison, MI 48423-0164.
Thank you to everyone who has sent comments and/or a donation to the newsletter.
Everyone receives a personal reply to their letters, so even if I do not comment
here, all letters are acknowledged. Thanks to all of you. - Beth Francisco,
Editor
Send comments:  yourtype@tir.com,
or to subscribe: Click Here
Page last updated 8-04-97
To Home Page
 6-30-97
Dear Beth,
Please find enclosed a check for $100 to cover the cost of 1) subscription
of $10 2) back issues 3) balance a donation to support the work you are doing. I
have just completed a short story on L.A.'s "Best Methadone Clinic" and
have been assigned a cover story on methadone maintenance. Also, methadone saved
my life in the past. It is a long and complex history, but I have written about
drug addiction before in book form (Wonderland Avenue published by
Little Brown & Co.) and will be doing so again. One of my goals is to transform
the image of the methadone [patient]--indeed, make understandable and sympathetic
the methadone patient as one who is endeavoring to better his life, capable of doing
so only by the availability of methadone as a medication used to treat heroin addiction.
Hope
we communicate again soon.
Good luck. And if you ever need a voice on the
West Coast/L.A. area, feel free to call. - Danny Sugerman
Danny was
manager of the Doors and Iggy Pop. The back cover of the book tells us that "he
also plunged gleefully into the glamorous underworld of the rock 'n' roll scene,
diving headfirst into booze, sex and drugs: every conceivable kind of drug, every
day, in every possible permutation. By the age of twenty-one he had an idyllic home,
a beautiful girlfriend, the best car in the world, two types of hepatitis, a diseased
heart, a $500 a-day heroin habit and only a week to live. He lived."
I
have not finished the book yet, but it is one of those that is hard to put down,
that you can't quit reading, but you don't want it to end. A must read! - Beth
Francisco, Editor Methadone Today
6-21-97 Enclosed is $10.00 for 1 year of Methadone Today.
My fiance, Jerry, is in a clinic; sometimes he is able to get a copy, and now I can
be sure we do. Thank you for all the hours that you put in to getting the newsletters
out. I ask for a favor please--when you are all together folding the newsletters,
say a prayer for Jerry. He is in a down time. Thank you again.
I am sorry
that your fiance is having a difficult time at present. If there is anything we can
do, please do not hesitate to call us--that is what we are here for. Sometimes, it
is something as simple as needing a dose increase or other remedy. We have tons of
literature that might help you, and I've acquired a lot of knowledge over the last
two years as a result of becoming involved in advocacy and having access to the internet.
The clinics are woefully misinformed about the pharmacology of methadone, and they
still believe that we, as methadone patients, have a behavioral problem--many of
us have, in fact, a deranged opiate ligund receptor system or, more simply, our brain
chemistry has been damaged. I am enclosing my card with phone number in case you
need me, and we will remember Jerry in prayer. - Beth
6-15-97 Dear Beth, My husband and I have been methadone <patients>
for six years now. We subscribe to the Methadone Awareness newsletter, and we have
learned a great deal from it. We want to learn all that is available. So, please
send us a copy of Methadone Today and let us know how to become subscribers. Thank
you, Lynn
We sent back issues and subscription instructions.
Thanks for the interest in Methadone Today.
6-2-97 Hello, My name is Richard. I am a recovering addict in Rochester,
N.Y. I would very much like to send a donation and possibly get put on your mailing
list for the Methadone Today newsletter. I have been living happily
on methadone maintenance for five years now. I lost my wife to addiction five years
ago. Methadone and recovery gave myself and my two children a life I didn't think
possible some time ago. Today, I do a lot of recovery-oriented speaking in schools
and institutions. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks. Richard
We are
always glad to hear that someone has gotten their life together due to methadone
maintenance. We are always saddened, too, when, as in the case of your wife, it didn't
happen. Keep up the good work speaking in the schools. - Editor
5-31-97 I was so glad to see your publication at the center. I,
myself, am approaching one year of treatment and have only had two fallbacks. I live
in a small town in the Bible Belt that doesn't understand methadone. I drive 250
miles each way to treatment 3 times a week. I could go on crying, but I'll spare
you. I would like a subscription but can't afford the $10 at this time, so I'm sending
you my promise of payment. Can't honestly say when, but I'm a man of my word, so
I'm sending you my address in hopes you'll take it and send me some issues. Thank
you for your time and literary enlightenment. - Dexter, Tennessee
We
are enclosing several back issues of Methadone Today, including themost recent, June
1997 issue. No one is refused for inability to pay. Thank you for your interest in
Methadone Today. Hopefully, you can use some of the other information I sent. - Editor
5-5-95 Dear Beth, Could you please send me a copy of your newsletter.
Right now I'm barely making the $70 per week payments at my clinic.
I would appreciate it if you could send me just one of your papers. I feel bad asking
with no money; I'll understand if you turn me down. Thanks for reading my letter.
Thanks a lot, and God Bless! Sincerely, David - Maryland
I am sending
you several back issues of our newsletter, Methadone Today. No one is refused for
inability to pay the $10 suggested subscription fee; however, we can use any donation,
no matter how small. If you can only afford to send postage stamps to offset the
cost of mailing, that would be greatly appreciated. - Editor.
3-3-97 Dear Editor:
Please put me on your subscription list.
I am 38 years old and have been on methadone for almost two years. My life has changed
for the positive in so many different ways. I am so grateful to see the work you
are doing. I became a father for the first time four months ago, and my son needs
his dad to continue his normal life. Our family needs this program. Here is a check
for $25. Thank you so much. Mark, Toledo
Thank you for
your donation to Methadone Today. We congratulate you on your new baby boy and are
truly happy your life has changed for the better. - Beth Francisco, Editor
To Home Page  Top
of Page More
3-3-97 - I am 23 years old; I've been off
and on heroin for about four years. I first started taking methadone about two years
ago. I was in and out of clinics for the first year, but now I have stabilized on
methadone for a little over one year without using heroin!
Yesterday was
the first time I had ever seen an issue of Methadone Today; I am thrilled
about this discovery. I am always looking for information or literature regarding
methadone.
This past year, since I've been "clean" from illegal
street drugs, I have been very open about the fact that I am a recovering heroin
addict on methadone to family, friends, and co-workers! At first, it was frustrating
as I realized how ignorant and misinformed people are. But gradually I have earned
respect because of my actions as well as my enthusiastic attempts at informing by
sharing knowledge. Even other [patients] at my clinic seem to be embarrassed about
being on methadone. Some don't even tell their family! I am a "group leader"
of one of our clinic's group sessions, and I am always trying to convince other [patients]
that there is no reason to let society's ignorance make them feel less of a person.
Addiction is an incurable disease that can be treated with methadone, combined
with counseling. Personally, I am proud of my achievements. I have a newfound respect
and love for myself and others, and I never could have done it without methadone.
I've tried kicking my habit cold turkey, and I felt terrible and eventually relapsed.
Who can concentrate on recovery when you are in excruciating pain? I honestly don't
think I ever could have made the lifestyle change without methadone. It is such a
shame that there are people out there who are misinformed and ignorant about methadone.
I believe that one of the most valuable things in life is knowledge. Information
is power. I want to do everything I can to teach people the truth about methadone.
One article that really got to me was "It's Only In Your Head"
by Peter T. Seal. I would greatly appreciate any information concerning methadone,
especially facts and material for my group, as well as a subscription to your wonderful
newsletter. - Sincerely, Casey - Royal Oak, MI
2-20-97 - Dear Methadone Today: Once again, you've
done a great job with your February issue. Your article on Medical Maintenance was
of special interest to me since I've been on methadone for the last 3 1/2 years.
Any information concerning methadone is of great value to me, especially since there
are so many people who know so little! After reading, "Why Should I Contribute",
I realized as part of my continuing recovery, I should help out and subscribe to
your wonderful newsletter. I had to leave my clinic of 2 years because my insurance
(Medicaid) would no longer pay--a few times when I had to return to the clinic for
records, I was lucky enough to grab a few issues. My clinic now isn't lucky enough
to get any issues. I hope my contribution helps a little. 3 1/2 years ago, I wouldn't
have parted with $10 unless there was something in it for me, and the "something"
was a substance. Keep up the good work and know that what you're doing is a wonderful
service for all of us who are serious about our recovery. Thanks again. M.K.
Detroit
Dear M.K. - Your clinic should be receiving the newsletter now so
that other patients can pick up copies, but since you are having one sent to you,
you won't have to worry about receiving a copy each month. Thanks for your subscription
donation and your comments about Methadone Today. - Editor
1-23-97 - I am 23 years old; I've been off and on heroin for about
four years. I first started taking methadone about two years ago. I was in and out
of clinics for the first year, but now I have stabilized on methadone for a little
over one year without using heroin!
Yesterday was the first time I had ever
seen an issue of Methadone Today; I am thrilled about this discovery.
I am always looking for information or literature regarding methadone.
This
past year, since I've been "clean" from illegal street drugs, I have been
very open about the fact that I am a recovering heroin addict on methadone to family,
friends, and co-workers! At first, it was frustrating as I realized how ignorant
and misinformed people are. But gradually I have earned respect because of my actions
as well as my enthusiastic attempts at informing by sharing knowledge. Even other
[patients] at my clinic seem to be embarrassed about being on methadone. Some don't
even tell their family! I am a "group leader" of one of our clinic's group
sessions, and I am always trying to convince other [patients] that there is no reason
to let society's ignorance make them feel less of a person.
Addiction is
an incurable disease that can be treated with methadone, combined with counseling.
Personally, I am proud of my achievements. I have a newfound respect and love for
myself and others, and I never could have done it without methadone. I've tried kicking
my habit cold turkey, and I felt terrible and eventually relapsed. Who can concentrate
on recovery when you are in excruciating pain? I honestly don't think I ever could
have made the lifestyle change without methadone. It is such a shame that there are
people out there who are misinformed and ignorant about methadone.
I believe
that one of the most valuable things in life is knowledge. Information is power.
I want to do everything I can to teach people the truth about methadone. One article
that really got to me was "It's Only In Your Head" by Peter T. Seal. I
would greatly appreciate any information concerning methadone especially facts and
material for my group, as well as a subscription to your wonderful newsletter. -
Sincerely, Casey - Royal Oak, MI
To Home PageTop
of PageMore
2-3-97 - Please put me on your subscription
list. I am 38 years old and have been on methadone for almost two years. My life
has changed for the positive in so many different ways. I am so grateful to see the
work you are doing. I became a father for the first time four months ago, and my
son needs his dad to continue his normal life. Our family needs this program. Here
is a check for $25. Thank you so much. Mark, Toledo
Thank you for your
interest in Methadone Today. We congratulate you on your new baby boy and are truly
happy your life has become so positive. - Beth Francisco, Editor
1-29-97 - I am a person receiving methadone maintenance
treatment. During a counseling session at my clinic last week, I saw a copy of your
newsletter laying on the desk. Well, I took it home and read it and was pleasantly
surprized. It was the first time ever that I had seen something positive written
about the treatment I am receiving. Not only was it informative to me, but exciting
as well. To see a publication dispel myths and misinformation about methadone treatment
is very refreshing. Thank you, and keep up the good work. - Lenny
Thank you,
Lenny. Letters like yours make it worth the work we put into the newsletter &
DONT. - Editor
I don't know how you do it. Every time it comes out, the newsletter is so good
that I think it can't get better--then, when the next issue comes out, it DOES (get
better that is). Thank you for a great read. - Bob W.
Many thanks for Methadone Today. We'll use it extensively at our Sept. 14 meeting.
Suggestion (respectfully). . . the insulin spoof [The Use of Insultin in the Treatment
of Diabetes: An Analogy to Methadone Maintenance, V.I, No. VIII, September 1996]
may well be misread by many who need to get the message straight. Satire seems to
work only among the most knowledgeable and to be counter-productive otherwise. Yours
is a wonderful newsletter and a big help in our campaign to take profits out of drug
traffic!!!
- Marie
Please send me a subscription of your newsletter. I find it very interesting and
educational. I just recently got into a methadone clinic, and I have no money to
speak of. I stay with my mother, and I have people helping me, but as soon as I can,
I will send you a donation to help you with your paper and things. Thank you. - Barbara
I spent my first work hour devouring your publications and making copies of various
informative articles. I was sorry to hear about Ira Sobel, not only because of his
valued input but because I too suffer from Hepatitis C. It seems I've heard too many
similar stories this past year--it's very scary. - Doris
Great!!! Your newsletter looks fantastic. so professional and tight. No air. Every
article is done so well--Michelle--I'm the biggest compulsive person around--I have
to be!!! Beth your article was scary because "it" is coming in one form
or another from "them." I'm faxing "METHAPHOBIA: US AND THEM."
Really, it is a fine product--in such a short time--because I think that
this new issue is about #4 or #5, right? It reads like a mini-magazine!!! I can't
wait to see the final final. - Ira, Ira Sobel Productions
I am a member of NAMA but was not aware of your newsletter until I received a
copy of your message from Trisha. I would very much like to be added to your mailing
list. I am involved with Trisha and some current legislators to gather support for
decriminalization of syringes and methadone accessibility in NH. - Dan
I hope this [donation] helps--it's not much, but it's all I could afford. Well,
I put in for my once a week take homes; wish me luck. P.S. If you ever need anything,
my phone and address is at the top of the paper. You must keep this wonderful newsletter
going. Thanks! Jimmie
Anyway, I do have one piece of criticism on the newsletter, not the website. Don't
use staples!! Do what I do with mine - Use little round stickers, or even a piece
of tape - it looks much better, but most importantly, it doesn't destroy the newsletter
- the staples tear the newsletter all to hell!! Try opening one you've stapled -
its terrible! It tears it up, you lose parts of the text, etc.. I hope you're not
angry - but I really felt I should tell you this - believe me, I did the same thing
at the start - I used staples too!! Let me know what you think. Katharine Bolton,
Editor/Publisher Methadone Awareness
No, Katharine, I'm not at all angry.
I appreciate any comments that help make the newsletter better. The December issue
is going to be mailed November 25 without staples. Thank you for the suggestion,
- Beth
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