Wwyd

[C.Ann]

Call the police.. It's a crime - and the store owner should not be victimized - regardless of the reasons why this person is engaging in criminal behavior..

 

[Acklander]

I figure if I know who they are, so do a lot of other people. I'd probably give the person a call and let them know that their picture was all over the news, so they better get a call in to their lawyer to arrange to turn himself in before they came hunting him down.

 

[diznygirl]

Wow, I am a basket case right now.


I just called, and they already have him in custody. He turned himself in early this morning. I tried his mom, no answer. I imagine she is having a difficult day. And they did want my name BTW. I told them I would feel better not giving it, and the lady kept asking several times. Name and number to reach me back at. I did not give it. I did talk to his brother, he said that they recvd several calls this morning after the news was on, so apparently a lot of people saw it.

That's good news. I agree with the previous poster who suggested that he get substance abuse help as part of a plea agreement. This actually could be a step in the right direction for him.

 

[Boo'sMom]

Then if he ever tries to rob me in a drug enduced rage, I'll let him know how much I appreciate him.

inappropriate.


To the OP, I hope things work out for your friend.

 

[arminnie]

He is the way he is because he volunteered to die for you, even though he has never met you.

Direct quote from an addiction therapist at a very well-known psych hospital:

Totally lame excuse. He may even have genetic tendencies, but it is still his choice. No one forced him to become an addict. It is extremely difficult to stop, but it can be done. Making excuses hinders conquering the addiction.

 

[Rafiki31]

Arminnine- You realize I am not the one addicted to drugs right? So your quote is not all that helpful here. Thanks anyway.

 

[arminnie]

Arminnine- You realize I am not the one addicted to drugs right? So your quote is not all that helpful here. Thanks anyway.

Yes, I realize it's not you. Actually nothing we say here will be helpful to him. I sincerely hope he decides to get clean and that he receives help to do so. It's in his hands.

 

[luvsJack]

Direct quote from an addiction therapist at a very well-known psych hospital:

I don't think she meant it as an excuse, but maybe as a reason. There is a difference.

No one forces anyone to be an addict, but not many addicts start out to become an addict either.

 

[dcentity2000]

I'd call the police, and then I'd be prepared to act as a character witness at his trial if necessary in the hope that he would get put into a program of some sort rather than just being sent to prison.

Bingo. Hopefully the authorities would recognise he needs special attention and won't make things worse for him.

After all, it's in EVERYONE'S interest that he get better.



Rich::

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Your watching the news, you see a clip fo someone knocking off a corner store. You recognize this person. You know he has a drug problem. You know jail does not help him, only makes his drug habit worse. You know he would never intentionally hurt someone, but drugs make him a bad person and he is not himself.

Do you call the police? Let the legal system throw him back to jail?

Do you call his mom and see if she will have him hauled back to rehab? He has had some success with rehab, but it never lasts long enough. His mom has been through the ringer.

Do you do nothing an hope someone else handles it? This seems to be the approach of my entire group of people. This will not resolve itself. He is headed for jail or death either way. It is painful to watch. I would rather he be in prison alive then dead on the street.

new rule

(you call the cops and let them take care of it)

I know I need to call, its just making me want to throw up. I love this person. I do not want him to die. I know my friends and family are going to be upset with me for calling, and we all know that I am going to be the one to make the call.

Nutterbutter- what a cold mean thing to say. This person who is "no use to society" spent a few years fighting in a war to protect your freedom. He has a problem, he is not a bad person.

has absoutely nothing to do with the current situation.

he in fact is now a criminal and subject to the courts decisions.

you will also find that most courts view is that drug usage is not an excuse for such behaviour and not a defense in court.

if he is a true addict, he will be required to undergo rehab BEFORE he is allowed out on parole, if he is convicted.

 

[Jynohn]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's situation. Sadly, many of our brave veterans have witnessed terrible things during combat, and self-medicate as a way of dealing with their emotions. Well-meaning friends and family members tend to make excuses for an addict's behaviors, or try to get them out of legal, financial, etc. trouble, which just enables them and allows the addiction to continue.

Hopefully this incident will serve as the "rock bottom" for your friend which will eventually help him to turn his life around. Either way, you did the right thing, and I'm sorry you were put in such an awful position.

 

[pweyl36]

Sorry, its the way I see it. Anyone who robs stores with no concern for anything including themselves is, to me, no longer any use to society. Unless he cleans up his act, that is. What if you owned this store, and some druggie comes in after hours to rob it. But its the Christmas season, and your working overtime, and your there?? What if you have your kids there helping you?? This guy comes in - you don't know if he has a gun, a knife, or what. How would you feel then?

I am right there with ya, I have a few drug addicts in my family and my sister has 2 children of a drug addict. I am done feeling sorry for drug addicts it gets old real fast and I tell my kids how it would be if they use drug or drink. I have no time for people like this. I've seen how the kids suffer and its not a pretty site.

 

[pweyl36]

Wow, I am a basket case right now.


I just called, and they already have him in custody. He turned himself in early this morning. I tried his mom, no answer. I imagine she is having a difficult day. And they did want my name BTW. I told them I would feel better not giving it, and the lady kept asking several times. Name and number to reach me back at. I did not give it. I did talk to his brother, he said that they recvd several calls this morning after the news was on, so apparently a lot of people saw it.


Nutterbutter-He is the way he is because he volunteered to die for you, even though he has never met you. That is the kind of person he is. We are lucky to have people like him in the world.

I guess now we wait and see what happens. I hope they can get him the help he needs.

You really need to change the wording " he is the way he is because he served in the military" My husband and 2 bil are and where in the navy and they never had a drug problem. Its kind of a disgrace to say what your saying. Thank god he didnt kill the person he robbed!

 

[blana]

Call the cops. Safer for everyone that way.

 

[Angelhalo]

I would call the police.

 

[Angelhalo]

Then if he ever tries to rob me in a drug enduced rage, I'll let him know how much I appreciate him.

I agree with you nutterbutter. Serving our country at some point in one's life doesn't automatically make them a decent human being. And respect can be lost.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

I agree with you nutterbutter. Serving our country at some point in one's life doesn't automatically make them a decent human being. And respect can be lost.

Well according to the OP, I'm just "a big jerk." I admit that I didn't sugar coat what I said, but for me, its the truth. As others have said, serving in the army is not an excuse for becoming a drug addict down the line.
I had a friend from high school that became very addicted to drugs and blamed it on her mothers treatment of her. Yeah, the mother was crazy at times - we thought she may be bi-polar - but no matter what, there is no excuse. Go to a therapist. You can't control some ones actions, but you can always control your own re-action. Something I try and remember at all times.

 

[torinsmom]

OP-I think you did the right thing. Just ignoring the situation would not have helped this guy at all. I hope he can get into a good treatment center and get counseling to help with his demons.

FWIW, I have heard from several family members of men and women who served several tours in Iraq and they talk about the terrible nightmares these men and women have from what they saw and experienced. I think about the way I feel after seeing a deer that has been hit by a car or attending a funeral for a child killed in an accident and I just can't imagine how hard things must be for these heroes.

Some are wounded and are in constant pain, and the drugs they are prescribed can be a gateway to other harder drugs. Some just can't deal with the mental images being replayed in their heads, and turn to alcohol or drugs to escape. Yes, many overcome this, but some just can't. I have never been through it myself, so I do not judge them. I think our gov't needs to help these returning soldiers more.

Marsha