“I know of no class of people who have been so victimized by the quack as the inebriate” – Quote from Slaying the Dragon, William White William White over the course of decades has documented some of our most noble efforts to expand recovery across America and our lowest lows in how people with substance … Continue reading 2024’s Top Posts #5 – Addiction & Recovery Capitalist – Hustlers Hawking Drugs, Hucksters Selling Recovery
Author: billstaufferpa
William Stauffer is the Director of Pennsylvania Recovery Organization Alliance (PRO-A). In recovery for well over 3 decades, he is a nationally recognized trainer and writer addiction and recovery. He has testified to the US Senate Special Committee on Aging and in 2019, he organized a hearing with the PA House Human Services Committee to expand opportunities for young people. He is a past co-chair of the public policy committee for Faces & Voices of Recovery and the 2019 recipient of the Vernon Johnson Award Individual Recovery Advocate of the year. He teaches Social Work at Misericordia University. He was recently named to the Leadership Council of Foundations for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS) a national think / do tank where he serves alongside some of the most respected leaders in the SUD service system. In December 2022, Mr. Stauffer was invited to serve Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro & Lieutenant Gov-Elect Austin Davis on the state Human Services transition team.
Drug Use, Human – #6 – Freedom, and the Question of Harm to Society
“The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins.” ― Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. The quote above has been attributed to historical figures including Oliver Wendell Holmes and Abraham Lincoln. While its origins are uncertain, it has links to prohibition. While in a contemporary lens, prohibition is viewed as an infringement … Continue reading Drug Use, Human – #6 – Freedom, and the Question of Harm to Society
2024’s Top Posts – #7 – Bias Against Recovery in PA Cannabis Certification Program
There is a recent story that originated out of Spotlight PA by reporter Ed Mahon that keeps intruding in my thoughts as quite disturbing, Prior misconduct rarely an obstacle for doctors in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program. Before delving into the details and why it is one that I find so troubling, first I would note … Continue reading 2024’s Top Posts – #7 – Bias Against Recovery in PA Cannabis Certification Program
2024’s Top Posts – #10 – Coopted and Colonized – Lessons from the Washingtonian Movement
History is not linear. Our movement, the New Recovery Advocacy Movement, like many social movements in the course of history develop and are then subject to decay. This history is important. The past is the pathway that has led to every door available to us in our current era. We can learn from history to … Continue reading 2024’s Top Posts – #10 – Coopted and Colonized – Lessons from the Washingtonian Movement
Hats Off to Those Who Do the Toughest Job They Will Ever Love
This is my last of 31 posts for the year. At the beginning of 2024, I set a goal of posting roughly one piece every two weeks, which would be 26. The 26th post was Once Bitten Twice Shy - the Recovery Community and the False Promise of Harmless Drugs which I completed October 23rd. … Continue reading Hats Off to Those Who Do the Toughest Job They Will Ever Love
Occam’s Razor and the Industries of Addiction
Addiction is immensely profitable for purveyors of drugs and their related businesses, both in the illicit and legitimate markets. As I wrote about last year, in Portraying Abstinence Recovery as Puritanical Is in the Interest of Those Who Sell Addictive Drugs, industries selling addictive drugs have long targeted high-risk groups including youth and people in … Continue reading Occam’s Razor and the Industries of Addiction
An Interview with Maryanne Frangules of the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR)
“Faces that are visible, voices who are vocal, will prove that recovery is valuable, and that is how we will be victorious!” - Maryanne Frangules of MOAR Maryanne Frangules has decades of experience as a recovery community advocate and community recovery capital builder. I have long thought about doing an interview with Maryanne Frangules. I … Continue reading An Interview with Maryanne Frangules of the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR)
John McKnight: A Voice for Vital Community – November 22, 1931 – November 2, 2024
“The associational world is the vital center of citizen production that is the foundation of our democracy — powered by trust.” – John L. McKnight I never met John McKnight, but in recent years I read two of his books after running across a reference to him in the writings of William White, I believe … Continue reading John McKnight: A Voice for Vital Community – November 22, 1931 – November 2, 2024
Societal Hikikomori and the Importance of Bridging Community Capital
“I know of a place, where you never get harmed. A magical place, with magical charms. Indoors! Indoors! Indoors!” —SpongeBob SquarePants Physical isolation is increasingly becoming a common way that people cope with challenges in our society. Hikikomori is a Japanese term that describes a condition where a person, typically a young adult is socially … Continue reading Societal Hikikomori and the Importance of Bridging Community Capital
Once Bitten Twice Shy – the Recovery Community and the False Promise of Harmless Drugs
“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!” ― Noel Langley, The Wizard of Oz Screenplay On March, 18th, 1898, Heroin was introduced to the world as a cough suppressant by its maker, Friedrich Bayer & Co, now known principally as a producer of Aspirin. Bayer marketed Heroin as a cough suppressant with weaker narcotic properties … Continue reading Once Bitten Twice Shy – the Recovery Community and the False Promise of Harmless Drugs
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