As a recovering alcoholic I know for a fact that most people, even family and close friends, have a hard time understanding the disease concept of this addiction. Substance abuse, a rite of passage in our culture, is something almost everyone can relate to and this contextual familiarity makes it that much more difficult for people to grasp the mental illness aspect of alcoholism. An example, “I mean after all, I used to drink like a fish but I grew out of it.”
The fact that as practicing alcoholics we do very little to ingratiate ourselves with others it is a wonder that anyone has even taken the time to try to understand our disease and help other than those of us who practice the twelfth step. So it is no wonder I am riled that when someone not only makes it harder those suffering from addiction to get help, but also taints the growing perception that the disease should be treated instead of punished.
The target of my ire is Joseph W. McMullen of New Jersey, the first recipient of the TDA Drunk Skunk award for his selfish use of the New Jersey Alcohol Treatment and Rehabilitation Act to beat a public intoxication rap.
Click “Read more” to continue…
The law was enacted so that those diagnosed with alcoholism that are picked up for minor violations will be offered the chance of treatment instead of just fines and jail. Mr. McCullen who is neither seeking treatment nor an alcoholic however is contending that the law actually nullifies municipal rules against and for punishing public intoxication.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court on behalf of Joseph W. McMullen, contends the local measures were repealed by a 1975 state law, the Alcoholism Treatment and Rehabilitation Act. The state law was adopted as part of the state’s policy “to address intoxication and alcoholism as a health issue and not a criminal one,” said McMullen’s attorney, Steven E. Angstreich of Cherry Hill. ~ CourierPostOnline
Notice how the lawyer uses the phrase “intoxication and alcoholism” together. This is what truly angers me; they know that the general public sees very little difference between the two. So this goober and his legal enabler are purposely blurring the distinction between substance abuse and addiction just so this guy can beat a misdemeanor PI and have the freedom to endanger everyone else with his drunken strolls down the road.
That stinks. The award is well deserved.
