I am writing this post following a disturbing Jeremy Kyle show this morning (1st October 09).  I am a mother of two and so I understand that I will be particularly sensitive to these issues but I cannot understand how a couple who both use heroin and crack cocaine can appear on the show showing no remorse for their action and failing to understand the severity of the damage they are doing to their 3 year old boy.   I have never felt compelled to email or contact any television show but given all the recent publicity regarding the ill treatment and fatalities of small children, I am praying that the producers of this show are insisting on help for this innocent little boy.

Hi Highland Lass

Like you, I too found this story disturbing. So much so that I have taken the step to contact the show.

I am a mother of four and also a grandmother so the issue of drug abuse is frightening and this story not only brought it home to me about how the children of drug addicts are exposed to the dangers of living in an environment where their parents are users but it also re awakened my fear of how vulnerable youngsters are are when it comes to the temptation to try drugs.

A few years ago the scale of Heroin addiction in my home town was frightening. It inspired me to write a (ficitional) story about a young person who decides to try heroin in the belief it will be a bit of fun and something they can walk away from unharmed.

I titled to story 'Go to Hell', it is hard hitting and does not have a happy ending. Although it is written purely on my perception I firmly believe that if I could get this story out to schools etc then it would act as a useful tool in the possible prevention of drug abuse. If by  reading it it was to make even stop one youngster from going down that road then it will have served a useful purpose. 

It is written in Rhyme form, easy to follow and is just under 2,00 words long. It takes approx 10 minutes to read,

I am now going to look at avenues I can explore to get this story out. I know it will serve a useful purpose!! We as adults have to do whatever we can do to minimise the amount of young people who go down the path of no return.

 

A correction to the above post. The story is just under 2,000 words long , not 200!

"I am praying that the producers of this show are insisting on help for this innocent little boy."

Jeremy stated several times during the show that the aftercare team will be helping them all the way.

"I cannot understand how a couple who both use heroin and crack cocaine can appear on the show showing no remorse for their action and failing to understand the severity of the damage they are doing to their 3 year old boy."

They did show remorse later, when the lady whose daughter was an addict came on.

The reason people go on te show is to get help. Yes I do agree, it was disturbing to watch, but if the couple get the help they need, the it has to be worth it.

I watched this and was very angry.I am a heroin addict and have been for 10 years.I am a mum of 4 and work hard for my money too.My children are all well loved,well cared for and enjoy all they should.I am honest to them about my situation and when I was struggling I contacted social services who helped me through a rough patch.

I am not proud of my addiction but I do take umbrage that all heroin addicts are dirty,live in fith and dont look after their children.This does happen but in so wrong in most cases.I have a home computer,as do my children.They also have all the up to date gadjets they want and the clothes they want.Only last night my partner and I took them ten pin bowling and we regularly take them out.{MYpartner is also an addict.[

My family are great and though they are pset about our addiction they help us and do not judge.By the way,none of my children were born addicted as I got help to get clean.Yes,I should not have started again but it is very very difficult.Admittedly I work as a writer so it is not as though I have to ge out to work[my partner is an artist who also works from home.]

BUT I am annoyed by people judging when they have not been in the situation.It is a physical as well as mental addiction.Also I know of two other families who are in a similar situation to us and they are also loving caring parents.The father of one of these families has said that we try even harder to be good parents and I agree.

I do not drink and it angers me when people who drink a lot call me names when their children are treated apallingly and miss school because they can't get up in the morning because of a heavy night on the tiles.

So not all parents who are addicts are bad parents.Yes,it is not ideal but we should not all be tarred with the same brush.Oh and by the way,when I asked social services for help they said that my partner and I could both teach a lot of parents how to bring up their children well.We had a glowing four page report in which they said there was not a lot they could do to help us as we were doing so well.Plus I have a child with Aspergers and before you all start this was not caused by my drug use as I have said,I was clean.

Also a lot of drug addicts are not affected by the drug to the point of sparko.This does not happen after long time use.Ask Graham,he will tell you that.

I would also like to add to my above post,most people do not even know I am an addict.When I confide in them they are very shocked,mainly on the point that I do not look or act like 'one'.Well,what does an addict look like?

I am also involved with my community and do alot for charity.I am also involved with local am/dram,regularly taking lead roles[I have never missed a rehearsal or performance.] and also enjoy my hobby of horseriding.

Nobody ever guesses unless I tell them.