Yes, we LOVE a "Come Through"

Many people had written off Ms. Whitney Houston. That magical voice, equal to any instrument in a symphony, ever so pitch perfect, made everyone tell that special someone "I would always love you". Who didn't try to hit that high note after the dramatical pause.

Unfortunately, money, fame, power, family and fans was no match for drug addiction. How can someone so beautiful, with everything life had to offer, make such choices? Her story is a great example of it isn't a choice, rather a disease. And if you don't take care of yourself, like some other diseases, it will effect you.

Well, what about those in society that have just the opposite. Poor, no family, no fame , no self esteem-all the odds against them. Why do we triumph the come back of Ms. Whitney, yet walk past and call names to the crack user down the street. They are the ones who have a greater impact on YOUR life.

Sure, we are happy for ANYONE that found their way to recovery. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor as long as you are recovering. The question then becomes are you really recovering, and from what? Ms. Whitney made a clear, nose turned up distinction between her use of crack in a marijuana joint as oppposed to using crack cocaine in a pipe. Let me ask you this....if you sit on a chair on the porch, or sit on a chair in a house, isn't it still a chair? If you sit on it front ways or if you wrap your legs around the back, isn't it still a chair? For those remaining in active addiction and those using a gateway drug such as marijuana, it is important to clarify that crack is crack. If you smoke it out of a pipe or if you smoke it in marijuana, it is still crack.

It is also important to clarify that for someone in recovery, it is important to understand the entire spectrum of active addiction. Regardless of your drug of choice, if you continue to use substances, your risk of ABUSING subtances or returning to "your drug of choice" are higher. Thus, it is not advisable to have a drink and think you are in recovery.

All that said, Ms. Whitney Houston is larger than life. With her ability to make everyone dance, curl up on the couch waiting to exhale or wiping your tears thinking about loving someone forever, she is quite influential. Her words can have a major influence, so clarity is very important. Her words during her interview with Oprah can lead one to think there is a difference between crack because of the tools you use, or if you are in recovery you can use other mood altering drugs as long as it's not your drug of choice.

Addison treat people everyday for addiction. We work with those youngsters who use marijuana and are at very influential place in their lives. We serve to be a voice of reason and distinction with this horrific disease. Please know that using crack cocaine anyway or continuing to use mood altering substances, including alcohol, while recovering can lead to disaster.

*Clapping loudly* We applaud your efforts, Ms. Houston. Your ability to pull back from the brink, repair your family relationships and so bravely tell your story is beyond commendable. Sharing your gift with the world once again, all while standing deep in your faith and spirituality are key components to recovery. What we want for you is continued success and your testimony that will bring others back from the brink.

Addison appreciated when Ms. Houston told Oprah it wasn't a come back but a come through. Yes, it is a continual process of coming through. Let's stay well informed everyone so people recovering can come through successfully.

State Budget Impasse

Non profits, let's talk about the budget impasse. Can you believe that we are into day 64 of a PA State Budget Impasse! Certainly this is not an issue for everyone, particularly the state representatives that are responsible for the fiscal management of PA. But let me tell you who it is an issue for, EVERYONE. If you never received a state dollar in your life, please know that you have interfaced with someone who has. Know that in some aspect of your life, you interface with someone who will be impacted by the lack of services the state is responsible. Even if you are wealthy beyond years, service may lack at your favorite restaurant because that friendly young lady you tip so graciously, will not be there because she no longer has child care.

More importantly than the revenue needed to continue operating agencies, it is the service delivery interuppted. Addison Behavioral Care go into the homes of parents that have indications of abusing or neglecting their children. When Addison reaches the point that our counselors can not go into those homes to alleviate those potentially deadly situations, the community is at risk. Addison also provide drug and alcohol treatment to individuals. If those citizens are not afforded their treatment, crime will rise because often, the population we serve do not have the money necessary to feed their disease of addiction. Thus, they rob and steal from the wealthy (who they believe don't care and have disposable income) to satisfy their disease. Children will suffer because parents become unavailable to their children.

Addison can not conceive why this isn't important to the masses. Addison is a small sample of the larger picture of people not receiving services. Elderly, babies, children, very vulnerable populations left out in the cold. The same people that voted for the politicians. Marc Cherna stated yesterday that the department of Human Services see over 233, 000 people in Allegheny county. That is over 200, 000 votes.

Votes. Hmmmmmm, votes. votes votes votes votes votes. Legislators, next election you will need votes. You will need people communicating how wonderful you were to your constituents and how you did everything in your power to make sure your constituents where taken care of. Elections have been called on a mere 100 votes. The social service community has access to 200,000 votes, not to mention the reach of the not profit world.

NON PROFIT COMMUNITY, LET'S TALK ABOUT VOTES!