How can we show compassion for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction at the same time we ensure safety and insist on members keeping agreements of the community? With IC consultant Philip Be’er.
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Link to meeting: Jitsi Meet
I won’t be able to join the discussion, but I thought I might say a thing or two.
~~This is a tough subject. We’ve been having people come here since the early 70’s. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of folks. In every kind of situation, you can think of. From people who really wanted to work and learn, to others who mostly wanted to kick up dust. We’ve had alcoholics, drug users, people on the run, many people from overseas, lots of homeless, the suicidal, the ones at the end of their rope just needing a helping hand. We’ve done what we could, helped as we were able. Got the hell beat out of us emotionally, physically, financially, socially. And we’ve also made friends for life.
Occasionally we have paid people to help us here. Most of the time we have not, instead giving free housing, electricity, food always food, clothing, medicine. Sometimes we fixed their cars or given them bicycles. Whatever we do, however we have done it, we have always tried to be fair. And many folks did well by being here. A number have gotten married here, some went on to get their own farms, some have good memories. Some raised children to adults, while here.
All of which is to say, we have had a lifetime of experience. With all kinds of situations.
So here is my word of advice. Know who you are. Know what you can do. Know what you can tolerate and know what is beyond your ken. --And most especially know what your community is for.
Every community has a specialty, a reason for being. If you are a community of dance, then dance. Or be a community that learns and plays wonderful music. Be the best organic farmers ever. Or deeply religious. ~But whatever you are, know what you are. And seek those seeking the same. Because when you bring others in that are on a deeply different road, it can be very disruptive. Or it might be a breath of new air. But know yourself. If you are a community that just wants to love the soil and the plants, and someone comes along who just wants to smoke all day and leave cigarette butts on the tomatoes, you’ll need lots of patience. Or more.
The point being, very realistically know what it is you can do. If you are a community for helping people with addictions, incredible. Congratulations. That is needed. But it does take real focus. But if you are a farming community, you may not have time/ability/focus/desire/care for non-farming situations. So, for the sake a harmony of your community, know what you can do, and what you can’t. Then do or don’t do, accept or don’t accept, what is possible. Otherwise, you may wear yourselves out. Or even end your community.
Is training covered? Counter actives; doth CERT cover such trainings? CERT is free training regardless. I’m sure they cover diseases/bactirium/vituses/etc… Are medical practitioners/facilitators anticipated/intended? They’ll help ensure legal corners/crevases are properly addressed; even if noth medically licensed/certified/etc… those of us whom think of such defentions & protections are assets; just because it might sound “off the wall” or incorrect informations, how thought provoking doth inspire/invoke? Just because it might noth seem possible/probable, noth means needn’t prepared… “Remember that conversation about ____” “Vaguely” “We started preparing for it anyway.” whilst such scenario occurs (obviousies/oviouses & accuracies be); needn’t dismiss just because; “keeping on the back burner” noth means complacent). IMSO, each community needeth a medical facility, with possible home call medical teams, &/or connections to communities with such. How many homeless persons hath first responder trainings? How many homeless persons carry a sewing kit & could stop a laceration from fluid flowings? How many homeless persons hath saved a life & noth been recognized because of their status (many likely noth desire such, still)? How many homeless persons are your loved/cared?
Revisiting the Asian & tribal/native medicinal practices will help us understand what helps best for which. Being literal; our bodies perpetually produce natural drugs (& synthetic aided by the consumed synthetics); serintonin, adrenaline, melatonin, dopamine, cannabinoids (at least in the mothers’ milk), and etc… Eating herbs (at least) processes many drugs in those plants; rosemary helps with circulation structures & integrities; lavender helps increas serintonin & dopamine so to increase happier/gay moods (3+ years from harvest helps with sleep; cooking in foods strongly helps with sleep); chamomile helps with quality of sleep; capsicum foods (peppers) help increase the immune system, it can also (to a degree) help sanitize wounds (applications invoke immune system interactions), prevent infections (redundancies), & reduce inflamations (lavender can also help reduce inflammations as direct applications). Cannabis (indica, sativa, & ruderalis) can help with addiction wanings. To aid against mental worries with cannabis consumptions, add lavender; the mood stabilizer could help enjoy the experience & adding to the bowl/roll becomes a whole new high vs consuming lavender fore &/or aft. Kimshi has many spices & herbs fermented at least (the right way to do it) 10 months underground; the bactierium is extremely beneficial to our bodies & the increases throughout the fermintations help with the immune system & physiological structures.