Saturday
May242008
Article of the week
Saturday, May 24, 2008 Candidate for this week's best article is "A cruel and unusual ban" by Ken McLaughlin, senior lecturer in social work at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Writing for the excellent online magazine Spiked, Ken comments on this week's High Court ruling that psychiatric patients detained in high-security hospitals have no "right to smoke". He concludes by observing that:
"Today, exaggerated claims from health campaigners on the dangers of passive smoking have been mixed with a broader risk-averse outlook, and once again it is to the detriment of those confined in long-stay mental institutions. At least the inmates of the old asylums could have a cigarette; now they cannot even enjoy that small mercy."
Full article HERE.
Reader Comments (14)
Yes, it's always the most vulnerable who get victimised first by these pigs. This is yet another decision which the liars of the anti-smoker lobby and its pharmaceutical masters can be well proud. But then, no self medication through smokes means more money paid to Big Pharma for other drugs to calm the patients down. A winner for them then!
Also, you'd have thought by now that the dimwits of Nu-Labour would have realised that this kind of policy does not make them popular, or win them votes, as much of the public just sees it as both cruel and unnecessary.
I look forward to Nu-Labour being wiped off the electoral map at the next election; it will be really satisfying. Unfortunately, if they are replaced as the opposition by the Liberal Democrats we shall have another bunch of Euro-subservient losers representing us, let alone the fact that we shall be ruled by Blair's patrician triffid pod: Nu-Tory David Cameron.
A grim prospect all round.
I also, look forward to Nu-Labout being wiped of the electoral map, but we dont seem to have any MPs with the guts to stand up for peoples rights. They are only interested in their own ends.
Reading that smoking has been banned in long stay institutions is reduculous as it is their home. I would not like to be the one inforcing it.
Being a sufferer of sometimes acute depression and axiety, I have often wondered if one day I might end up having a stay in one of these institutions. The way the poor souls are being treated however, as less than human to my mind, actually adds to my state of anxiety, which, in the long term could lead to my being sectioned! I hope I am just being paranoid at the moment, but if is affecting me like this, how many others might it be affecting, possibly others who are already closer to be institutionalised - is the fear of losing something so trivial as the right to smoke which for many of us helps us to stay calmer than we could otherwise, enough to push some right over the edge?
No. it may not rational, but some people with mental illnesses are not always capable of being rational. Most of the time they can seem quite normal, just like everyone else, but if something sends them into a panic, that is when they can become totally irrational - although the will not see it that way, certainly not at the time.
In summary, are we now, possibly, going to create a new level mental illness? Are we going to need urgent new mental insitutions to help these people, some of whom could quite easily be you or me!
Lyn, I have to say it is very brave of you to say what you said. My mother died in 2004 from lung cancer, she was 85. No, it wasn't caused by smoking, active or passive. She had had breast cancer, had a mastechtomy, then lived another happy and fruitful six years before a secondary tumour on the lung. Neither did she die a lingering, painful death. I did however, decide to have a go at stopping smoking. I was ill. My anxiety level was off the dial. I eventually went to the doctor. My doctor found out I had stopped smoking. They then said something which shocked me. Without telling me directly, I received the message loud and clear. Try to only smoke outside, and try to cut it to half of what I had smoked previously, even more if possible. It is nice to know that, although they may not be passing the laws and bi-laws, there are inteligent people in our community, (including doctors), who know about (and prescribe) reality not just impersonal ideals.
My uncle died in hospital,a smoker all his life,in his eighties, a soldier who had been to war twice that I know about, 2nd world war and Burma, he only had days to die and wanted a smoke. he was to frail to be wheeled downfrom the first floor and away from the hospital. There is a veranda on his floor but it was kept locked (health and saftey).
The old soldier never got a last smoke.
I am furious that this Government did this.
goverment with all our tax money have started a war with their own people. My uncle called them traitiors.
Very brave of you, Lyn, to tell us that. Congratulatins, also, on the many excellent comments you write on these sites.
As a secondary income, I run a one-woman secretarial service from home. I once had a non-smoking customer who suffered from depression. He was an intelligent gentle chap and successful in the business he ran. For 28 years he had been taking a prescription drug called "Marplan" which had dreadful side-effects. He became addicted to it and from time to time they gave him a "cocktail" of other drugs to try and combat the side-effects. One New Year's Eve, he suddenly went berserk and attacked a tenant he had in the upstair flat of his house. He ran to the nearest police station and gave himself up. He was held on remand in Wormwood Scrubs and, being "upper class" was brutally treated by the prison officers.
He knew it had been the drugs which had brought on this moment of madness. He refused all drugs and went "cold turkey" in his prison cell. He got through it by putting hot flannels on his head. He kept in touch with me daily and asked me to record all that was happening to him. They knew he was in contact with the outside world and that a daily record was being typed up. They did not force drugs upon him.
Eventually he was sectioned and transferred to Coulsdon medium secruty prison hospital. Still on remand and without a trial, he was kept inside for six months. He longed for the open air. Again, he refused all drugs and remained a model non-violent prisoner. He and I begam our search for a solicitor and a barrister who would dare to take on the might of the psychiatric profession. His trial was to be at the Old Bailey. Finally, and with great difficulty, we found powerful but expensive legal team. There was a preliminary hearing and he was allowed out on bail.
His wife in London, meantime, had started divorce proceedings, He came to stay with his mother who lives near me. We carried on daily building up his case. I still have the very thick file which contains the whole story and all evidence from the very beginning.
He put all his affairs in order, made sure that his mother and wife were well provided for and then, unexpectedly, he went out one day in his car and bought a length of flexible hose. He drove to a remote field, attached the hose to his exhaust pipe and into the car, He wrote a letter each to his mother and I. He said that he was sorry but just could not face going back into prison again. He died with his favourite song "Search for the Hero inside of me," playing on the tape recorder.
It took me a long time to get over this and I suppose I never will. My heart goes out to those poor prisoners at Rampton who now cannot even have a beneficial cigarette. I have been inside such prisons. I can't bear to think how much they must be suffering. I also can't help wondering how many are there because of prescription drugs and still being forced to take them. "Marplan" was withdrawn from the market.
As for you, Lyn, please be of good cheer. You don't sound like the sort of person who would be driven to the sort of extremes you sometimes imagine. Very many people suffer from depression from time to time and often all that is needed is a bit of human companionship. You are interested in UKIP, why not join them, as I have done. The friendly cheerful meetings are a social occasion - usually in a pub - and it is good to be with people who are actually doing something about the state our society is in.
If you are on prescription drugs of any sort, question it. Better by far to have a few more cigarettes!!
My best wishes to you.
"My uncle called them traitiors."
It is exactly what they are. Traitors. They have betrayed their country and all the freedoms it stands for.
And for what? For science? Their epidemiological 'science' is a patent fraud. For socialism? Their idea of civil society is one of the most absolute tyranny. For money? Perhaps they sold their country for money and security. They will never have them.
Thank you for your kind comments Timbone and Margot, although I do not feel brave! I am just furious at the insensitivity and downright ignorance of the people in government who are supposed to represent us, the public and to be our 'servants' or 'emplyees' or whatever else you want to call them. They are all disgracefully self centred and had they an ounce of humanity, intelligence or common sense they would be questioning the so called scientific evidence instead of following along like good little sheep.
That rant over for now!
My first husband died of lung cancer when he was 51. Yes he was a smoker, he was also an alcoholic. The onset of cancer, it is said, can also be caused by physical or mental trauma. In the couple of years prior to his diagnosis he had a few falls off his motorcycle, a number when he himself dropped the bike in order not to hit someone who walked off the pavement infront of him. He also suffered a trauma whilst riding along the M4 on a very hot, still day and the farmers had been spraying something or another. When he got home he could hardly breathe and had call me at work to come and take him to the doctors, who promptly had me take him to A&E where they checked his heart. After an hour or so on oxygen he seemed better and came home. Who is to say that it wasn't one or more of these incidents that caused the onset of his cancer?
My father smoked all of his life and for the last 7 years of it was on dialysis due to kidney failure, nothing whatsoever to do with smoking! When they decided to stop the dialysis they had signed his death warrant, but 'nature had to take its course' which could take 5 to 10 days. He wanted a smoke during his last days, but it was too difficult to get him out of the small side room he was in. His mind was still functioning perfenctly, but his body was letting him down, which was horrendously undignified for him and he could not even have the comfort of a smoke! In the 10 days before he died I travelled nearly 2000 miles back and forth to see him, without taking any time off from my new job, until the day before his death because I just knew I had to see him that day. The suffering the family went through was dreadful.
Sorry, this is almost another thread which I am passionate about - Euthinasia.
It is so sickening to think that if we were to treat animals the way we treat people we would be prosecuted - who really has the higher intelligence? I wonder!
My doctor is very good. When I go for HRT reviews he says how he has to tell me of the risks involved regarding breast cancer, etc and I say that to me it is just the same as smoking, if I am destined to get cancer of the whatever, then I will get it whether or not I smoke or have HRT or anything else, for that matter. He totally agrees and thinks that is a healthy attitude.
I will apologise again for ranting on, but as you may have realised, I get quite passionate about this subject.
Thanks for the suggestion of joining UKIP Margot, I might just look into it.
Thanks again for your kind words.
Lyn, I remember that my mother had 'finished the job of life' and was 'ready to go home' two or three months before she finally went. The last six weeks were a waste of time and energy, my father nursed her at home, and she spent her last week in a hospice. She died in the September, and I remember a few months later on Christmas eve, taking my mother in laws 17 year old Jack Russel to the vet. Paddy had also finished his life, and was ready to go, which is exactly what happened. He lay there quietly, looking at me, had his injection, and he was gone. I remember thinking how much more organised, humanitarian and dignified it would of been if all the family could have gathered around my mother's bed, said our goodbyes, and ceremoniously sent her on her way peacfully.
By the way Lyn, have you been to the freedom2choose.info forum, if not, you may enjoy it. They also have strong links with UKIP, and one of the candidates in the local elections is a memeber of f2c.
Thanks for that Timbone.
As it turned out, just 2 weeks to the day before my husband died I took my German Shepherd to the vet, she was only 8 but had been having such a bad allergic reaction to fleas (big epidemic at that time in our area) that even the vet was at a loss as to what to do for her, so she was put to sleep peacefully and with dignity. Much as I was terribly upset and distraught about it, I knew deep down that she was no longer suffering and with my husband dying I could not have possibly given her the time and attention she deserved.
I console myself with the fact that it was the best I could do for her at the time and at least I was able to do that much for her to put an end to her suffering.
I often check out the F2C site, but don't think I have been to the forum. I am usually checking out these sites when I am at work and am totally p*****ed off with data input!
Those poor devils in that home. Not allowed to smoke thanks to these gutless spineless cowards who run this country.And I hope ASH are very proud of themselves.Words fail me in aboslute disgust.
Hi Lyn,
You are welcome to the rant! Good that you realise there are many contributory factors towards cancer. Hereditary is one. A sharp damaging fall is another one. One thing is certain, we are all going to die of something so no point in anticipating and stressing in advance.
I seem to have been healthy all my life and think a great contributory factor is that I never go near doctors. I've probably had all sorts of illnesses and just got over them in my own sweet way. I'm convinced that fags helped. I'm 74 now and eat and drink what I fancy. Have never been one for large quantities of alcohol - just makes me dizzy and sick. My food is home cooked and fresh. Don't like restaurant meals and processed food of any sort.
One thing that your rants have made clear and that is that you are on HRT. This does have many side effects, including depression. Why have the doctors told you you must be on it? If it is to combat ageing and wrinkles - forget it. They do me no harm. I've always been naturally slim and I understand HRT can cause one to put on weight.
So, do you really need it?
Another factor towards tiredness and depression is working in a smoke-free non-ventilated environment. Without nicotine in the atmosphere, there is nothing to combat the build up of mutating germs. Lack of fresh air, ie Oxygen, is very debilitating indeed. Nothing we can do about our working environments apart from get outside for a fag whenever possible and in the evenings. Taking drugs does not help, apart from an aspirin for headaches.
I do a lot of gardening - very beneficial - and it also provides my food.
Regards, Margot.
Hi Lyn,
You are welcome to the rant! Good that you realise there are many contributory factors towards cancer. Hereditary is one. A sharp damaging fall is another one. One thing is certain, we are all going to die of something so no point in anticipating and stressing in advance.
I seem to have been healthy all my life and think a great contributory factor is that I never go near doctors. I've probably had all sorts of illnesses and just got over them in my own sweet way. I'm convinced that fags helped. I'm 74 now and eat and drink what I fancy. Have never been one for large quantities of alcohol - just makes me dizzy and sick. My food is home cooked and fresh. Don't like restaurant meals and processed food of any sort.
One thing that your rants have made clear and that is that you are on HRT. This does have many side effects, including depression. Why have the doctors told you you must be on it? If it is to combat ageing and wrinkles - forget it. They do me no harm. I've always been naturally slim and I understand HRT can cause one to put on weight.
So, do you really need it?
Another factor towards tiredness and depression is working in a smoke-free non-ventilated environment. Without nicotine in the atmosphere, there is nothing to combat the build up of mutating germs. Lack of fresh air, ie Oxygen, is very debilitating indeed. Nothing we can do about our working environments apart from get outside for a fag whenever possible and in the evenings. Taking drugs does not help, apart from an aspirin for headaches.
I do a lot of gardening - very beneficial - and it also provides my food.
Regards, Margot.
Hi Margot
Thanks for your response and well done you for resisting all the processed junk that most of end up consuming these days in greater or lesser quantities and well done for carrying on with the smoking. I am sure in many cases, especially as we get older, it is not the smoking that kills us off, but the giving up!
Anyway, to the HRT, just now I do think it advisable to stay with it. I went on it initially because I was becoming quite aggressive in my attitude and, at times, felt I could cheerfully kill someone! The HRT had a great and positive effect on that and, certainly in the first few years had no negative impact on my weight. In fact I was able to lose 2.5 stone prior to getting married 3 years ago. Unfortunately, although I lost more weight 2 years ago when the depression and anxiety really kicked in, I have subsequently been steadily putting it on. I don't think it is my medication as such, just the fact that my mood much of the time currently is flat - what I call 'so what?'. I have great ideas but very little motivation, however I have today done my training to take my theory test on Thursday for driving HGV's! Fingers crossed I pass! Then I can start the fun bit which is the driving! It just seems that this project is about the only thing I can get motivated about just now, having been in limbo since the beginning of the year waiting on the DVLA medical lot to decide whether I was safe to be let loose in a lorry or not!
Anyway, you carry on enjoying your smokes, just as I will mine and good luck with your garden and vegetables - I am not much of a gardener, but isn't the weather playing havoc with crops this year?
Regards
Lyn