Dope Choices

Meth, heroin, coke, booze ... I've snorted, injected and smoked most all there is. I've been down those roads too many times. I've cleaned up, lived right, and still went back down those roads. I believe it's a choice. I choose not to .. So I don't.

In prison we face the same choice, although the drugs are pricey, diseases, are epidemic, and many prisoners are doing life - some on the installment plan - and have surrendered to this lifestyle. Some look to a Higher Power to stay clean and others dwell in rehab programs.

Although I do not take away from those who have prospered and and gotten clean, the ADOC substance abuse programs leave much to be desired. The instructors are guards and/or prisoners and the programs aren't being run as they were designed. Mainly they are "war-story" and bitch sessions.

Recently, the ADOC is requiring all prisoners enroll in these programs and other similar programs, like Anger Management and Pre-Release. I have repeatedly graduated and even instructed some of these programs, yet I am required to stay enrolled.

It's speculated that ADOC is requiring we enroll for financial reasons. Tax-payers fund these programs, even if the funds go elsewhere within ADOC. No enrollees means no tax-payer funds. We weren't enrolling much, so it has become required.

Now, every Wednesday I attend four programs. Yes, ADOC has crammed all programs where I am into one day. I'd request ADOC provide a Time Management program, but my Wednesdays are already full.

Ironically, the head medical services administrator for ADOC is a drug addict on probation for self-prescribing controlled substances and lying to the Az. Medical Board (more on this in my next entry.)

Make a difference

"Man, she is hot." Andy whispered as the female white-shirt passed us.-"White Shirt": An employee of ADOC working in the kitchen recognized by their white shirt. "She 's ok." I responded, flicking my cigarette butt. "What do you mean 'OK', you wouldn't do her?" He asked, disbelief in his voice. Realizing I had been curt, I resorted to levity. "I'd do you if you'd sit still and you ain't hot." He just laughed.
"Do you think screwing is supposed to be between a man and woman only?" Andy asked me. The question surprised me, however, skilled in the art of Smart-ass-ology I managed a reply. "Shut up." Intent on picking my brain, he continued, "Seriously, do you think it's wrong?." "Who am I to say what is right or wrong for others?" I asked, adding, "Love is love, sex is sex. Do two guys or girls doin it hurt me?". "What if a girl left you for another girl? Andy asked defensively. "If she left me it would suck, but it'd be easier to accept if it were for a girl. Anatomically, a girl has something I cannot give her. Another guy means I'm coming up short in some way as a male." I reasoned.
"I'd kick her ass." Andy responded with imitation bravado. "And that's a reason your girl would leave you for somebody else." I responded slightly irritated. "Men who hit women and kids are weak and deserve neither. As a man, it's our responsibility to protect and love our women and children, not hurt them." Smiling with an embarrassed expression he said, "Make love not war, right?" "No, just make a difference." I ended our conversation,
Andy, a 19 year old, finished a 4 year theft sentence today. This conversation took place last week. I can only hope something sank in and he makes it outside these walls.

A Lying Junky Criminal

In 1974, when James Baird graduated medical school, I'm sure he never imagined that he's end up a paper-pusher, MD in ADOC. It's no wonder he's become a drug-addicted, lying, correctional bureaucrat.
In 2001, the D.E.A. report to the Az. Medical Board that Dr. Baird was ordering Hydrocodone, Propoxyphene and Diazapam for his own use. In a board investigation interview in 2001, he admitted to the illegal activities and further admitted self-prescribing Propoxyphene for 20 years, 12 to 16 tabs daily. After the interview, in true politico fashion, he checked into Betty Ford.
After Betty Ford, in 2002, Dr.Baird went before the board and after considering the facts and law, the board found him guilty of "unprofessional conduct", giving him a letter of reprimand w/ 5 years probation for his activities and for making false statements to the board; answering "No" to a question on his 3 year license renewal application regarding him being involved in illegal use of any controlled substance.
Dr. Baird tenure w/ADOC began in 2000 and he's now a top dog in ADOC Medical Services, in charge of policies and procedures and responsible for ensuring prisoners here get needed medical care. My questions are: How does a USING doctor, in trouble with the D.E.A. and Board get a job in ADOC? He admits being sober since 2001. How does a doctor busted for serious crimes get "board reprimanded and probationed" without criminal liability? Finally, how does a person afford such a large drug habit? Even on a doctor's pay, his habit makes me wonder how he could afford it "legally" for so long. But then again, I'm just a lying, junky, criminal. What do I know...
You may check my facts at : http://www.azmd.gov/profile/profile.asp?LicenceType=Any&LastName=baird&First+Name