Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Ben

Allegedly Ben Cousins has been busted for drugs again.

I am not taking sides on whether he did or didn't, in fact it is irrelevant to my life.

What I question is why he was sent overseas to a 30 day rehab at for exorbitant cost when we have effective government-run programs in Australia.

A drug addiction usually takes many months or years to present itself as a problem. What program in its right mind thinks 30 days can 'fix' someone? Most Australian run programs run for a 3 - 12 month live in component and then a year or so of follow up. If it genuinely took 30 days to find a cure, it would have been bottled long before now.

I also acknowledge that no one program is the solution for all and that 'real life' and the temptations and stresses that involves is also a factor but ...

For all of those who supported Ben in the 'quick fix', and for all of those who thought that 'just' attending rehab would guarantee any lapses, or even relapses, please remember we live in a real world.

Drug addiction, of any sort including alcohol and tobacco, has a long comeback path. I am not suggesting that we sympathize with Ben, but some empathy wouldn't go astray while he takes responsibility for his choice.

4 comments:

Chelsea + Shiloh said...

Awe gees louise, whose Ben??

and you know I'm goin to agree with your reflections of rehabs and 'cures' ... I knew a man who didnt want to go to a rehab as he may be 'recognised'... life didnt give him a choice in the end... much to his surprise only one person recognised his fame, the others couldnt care less, they had enough problems with their own issues...

Don't forget these individuals have agents, spin doctors and media personale...alot of fingers in the pie, all aiming for maximum advantage...I often think they have it worse than joe blow....

Chelsea + Shiloh said...

ps. Matt doesnt no who Ben is either?? are we out of some loop...x

Unknown said...

Ben Cousins is a 'star' for the West Coast Eagles ... not being a follower of the game I can't tell you what position he played, but I have known of him for years so he must be famous :-)

PS: Ben was apparently the last person to see the equally legendary Chris Mainwaring alive before he died of a drug overdose just a week or so ago ...

Unknown said...

...for all their fame, they are human after all