About you
What is your name?
Name
(Required)
Kirsty Di Giorgio
Question 1
1. The Bill focuses on drugs and alcohol addiction. Do you agree or disagree with the purpose and extent of the Bill?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Strongly Agree
Radio button:
Unticked
Agree
Radio button:
Unticked
Neutral
Radio button:
Unticked
Disagree
Radio button:
Unticked
Strongly Disagree
Question 2
2. What are the key advantages and/or disadvantages of placing a right to receive treatment, for people with a drug or alcohol addiction, in law?
Please use this textbox to provide your answer
As an addict I have experienced first hand the lack of treatment options available in a swift manner.
My mental health was severely impacted before I surrendered to addiction. All I was offered was a crisis team who kept in touch for 2 weeks. There was no therapy if any kind just the option to talk.
18 months later I ran away from my husband and my home.
Shortly after that, having hit a true rock bottom, I surrendered and told a family member the full extent of my addiction. I was put in touch with CARS, again just talking and regular check-ins and that was after an 8 week wait. I was in a fortunate position that my mum was able to pay for me to go into rehab. Had I not had this treatment, I doubt I’d still be here 3 years later, clean and sober.
My mental health was severely impacted before I surrendered to addiction. All I was offered was a crisis team who kept in touch for 2 weeks. There was no therapy if any kind just the option to talk.
18 months later I ran away from my husband and my home.
Shortly after that, having hit a true rock bottom, I surrendered and told a family member the full extent of my addiction. I was put in touch with CARS, again just talking and regular check-ins and that was after an 8 week wait. I was in a fortunate position that my mum was able to pay for me to go into rehab. Had I not had this treatment, I doubt I’d still be here 3 years later, clean and sober.
Question 3
3. Do you have any comments on the range of treatments listed above?
Please use this textbox to provide your answer
Residential rehab needs to be available to all addicts wishing to recover from this disease.
More understanding and knowledge needs to be practised by professionals. I have come across so much judgement, without them knowing me or my story. This lack of training is dangerous to those wishing to get better.
More understanding and knowledge needs to be practised by professionals. I have come across so much judgement, without them knowing me or my story. This lack of training is dangerous to those wishing to get better.
Question 4
4. Do you have any comments on the procedure for determining treatment?
Please use this textbox to provide your answer
Time needs to be allowed at this stage.
The professionals must have the core principles of counselling and knowledge of addiction.
There must be consistency.
The professionals must have the core principles of counselling and knowledge of addiction.
There must be consistency.
Question 5
5. Are there any issues with the timescales for providing treatment, i.e. no later than 3 weeks after the treatment determination is made?
Please use this textbox to provide your answer
A lot can happen in 3 weeks, mainly losing the strength to continue on the path to recovery, giving up any hope and committing suicide, overdose is also a strong possibility at this point.
Question 6
6. Is there anything you would amend, add to, or delete from the Bill and what are the reasons for this?
Please use this textbox to provide your answer
Reduce from 3 weeks to immediate access to structured, supportive and functional help.
To ensure that all practitioners are adequately trained.
To listen and act upon information provided by those who have been in this situation I.e. addicts.
To ensure that all practitioners are adequately trained.
To listen and act upon information provided by those who have been in this situation I.e. addicts.
Question 7
7. Do you have any comments on the estimated costs as set out in the Financial Memorandum?
Please use this textbox to provide your answer
Can you put a price on a human life?
Look after those that already live here.
Look after those that already live here.
Question 8
8. Do you have any other comments to make on the Bill?
Please use this textbox to provide your answer
I would love the opportunity to be more involved.