Arizona
Kindergarten Teacher Charged with Selling Drugs:
How Addiction Effects all
Populations of Society
By: Lori Magoon, MLADC, LCMHC
A stereotypical drug addict is dirty, private and
unsuccessful. He or she does not hold a profession as a fireman or police
officer. Nor as a doctor or lawyer; and absolutely not as a school teacher working with small children.
When
the news of an Arizona kindergarten teacher
charged with selling drugs was
released, most were shocked. I, on the other-hand, an MLADC who has witnessed the devastating effects of addiction, was not. The December 6th
story of a teacher who resorted to drug
sales as a means to fund her own drug habit was instantly categorized in my
mind as yet another example of how addiction
affects all populations of individuals. I have personally witnessed how professionals
are non-exempt from the detriments associated with addiction. In reading the Union Leader article regarding the
Arizona teacher’s news story; I recognized that this woman was the victim of a
disease and had she been provided with proper care and support; her addiction may not have caused such an
error in judgment.
Stereotypes
associated with individuals whom suffer from drug addiction are largely inaccurate. In reality, any individual
from any population, social class or career can be affected by drug addiction. Even the most
well-respected, wealthy and/or educated individuals can become addicted to drugs or alcohol, and
may find themselves making choices that they would never had made without the
influence of mind-altering substances.
As an MLADC, I work with remarkable,
caring and talented individuals who have become victims of addiction and are in need of support.
The stereotypical American kindergarten teacher is warm, nurturing and trust-worthy.
A prominent role model for young children; he/she makes good choices and sets a
positive example for students. It is largely possible that this Arizona teacher modeled such qualities at one
time, but began using mind-altering
substances and lost sight of good judgment. Prescription drugs, (the particular drugs this teacher was charged
with selling), are incredibly expensive, and it is common for individuals whom
suffer from addiction to take such
drastic measures as selling drugs to
pay for their habit. In order to understand addiction, it is imperative to recognize that addiction is a disease. The brain chemistry of an individual who
suffers from addiction is changed,
and thus, the fruit of one’s addiction
becomes the focus. Consequences and good judgment are compromised.
This Arizona kindergarten teacher’s story
is just one example of how no population is exempt from the effects of drug addiction. As an MLADC, I have seen drug addiction affect all walks of life and am constantly
confronted by the power and devastation associated with this disease. Prescription pill addiction in
particular has become wildly popular, destroying lives and causing the
deterioration of morals and good judgment.
We’re Here to Help!
At Self-empowerment NH, LLC, we take addiction issues personally. A counseling company located in
Concord, NH; at Self-empowerment NH LLC, we understand how difficult addiction can be and have an extensive
background in treating individuals suffering from the toughest of addictions, to include addiction to prescription pills. We recognize that addiction effects all
populations and affirm that having an issue with addiction does not mean someone is a bad person. It makes that they
are someone who needs help.
Lori Magoon is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician and a
Master’s Level Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Counselor. Lori’s effectiveness is based on providing a welcoming, supportive
and non-judgmental environment for all clients; as well as use of innovative
counseling strategies with scientifically proven effectiveness. Lori stresses
that as long as the individual seeking treatment is invested in his/her recovery, recovery from even the toughest of addictions is possible.
Self-empowerment NH,
LLC accepts health insurance and does offer a sliding scale for those who
qualify. A variety of services are offered at our Concord location, some of
which include; individual and group counseling, evaluations and presentations
for parents, educators and both large and small employers in reference to signs
and symptoms of substance abuse.
To schedule an appointment or to attain more information,
please contact Lori at selfempowermentnh.com or by phone at (603)470-6937.
Source:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/arizona-police-kindergarten-teacher-sold-drugs-undercover-officer
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