Posted by Tina-Not From NY on September 18, 1999 at 19:26:03:

In Reply to: How do you help someone who doesn't want it but needs it---- posted by Tina-NY on September 16, 1999 at 08:50:33:

Tina-

The ABSOLUTE WORST thing would be for your brother to go to jail. He has a disease. It is not a legal or moral issue. Why would you wish for him to be incarcerated? To teach him a lesson? Don't buy into that hogwash that the Drug Hawks would have your believe. Don't-if you want to see your brother live. He needs treatment, but, treatment will not work until he is ready. If he has a heroin addiction, depending on how far advanced his disease is, abstinent-based 12 Step programs might be enough to keep him from using drugs. If you truly love your brother, get educated about drug addiction. Let him know you will be there for him if he falls. Don't let yourself be taken advantage of....but, don't cut him entirely out of your life. And whatever you do, try to keep that poor child out of jail If, that is, you don't want him dead. That is a very real possiblility. Good luck.