A Visit From The Rainbow

Last night, we got some much-needed rain. And on my way to take out the trash (in the rain), I was visited by a double rainbow.

I guess I should’ve been concerned that the rain would hurt my precious (but cheap) camera, but you know, rainbows.

Looks like a rainbow highway, right?

If I follow the rainbow highway, what will I find at the end?

Unfortunately (even though I’m part Irish), I didn’t find a pot of gold (or pot) at the end of this rainbow highway.

And then the rainbow faded and was gone, like most things that can be described as beautiful. Goodbye Ms. Rainbow, hope to see you again soon. But next time, can you bring some weed with you?

Albuquerque forum to focus on opioid addiction

http://www.abqjournal.com/783132/forum-to-focus-on-addiction-to-opioids.html

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Albuquerque Journal and KANW radio are sponsoring a forum June 15 to examine what law enforcement officials call an “epidemic” in opioid-related deaths in New Mexico…

My comment:

Sure wish there was a forum for those suffering from chronic and intractable pain, unable to find treatment, abandoned by doctors, and treated like drug addicts and criminals. But sure, keep funding the failed drug war, because everyone knows that when you restrict the supply, it will decrease the demand.

It would also be nice if there was a forum on the right-to-die issue, as pain patients now have no other options. Thanks, DEA.

“Roughly 90 percent of the 540 drug overdose deaths in New Mexico during 2014 involved heroin or prescription painkillers…”

How many deaths involved only opiates? What other drugs were involved, or is that just too much information to give the public? (I love the smell of hypocrisy in the morning.)

No More Drug War.

https://nmhealth.org/publication/view/help/1832/

In 2014, 450 New Mexicans died by suicide (21.1 deaths per 100,000 residents)

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among New Mexico residents 10 to 39 years old

New Mexico has the 5th highest suicide rate in the United States

In 2014, 3,443 visits to emergency departments in New Mexico were due to self-injury

Trying to save just one life

When I check my WordPress stats, I’m re-introduced to some of my old posts that people visit, including this one:

https://painkills2.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/email-to-huffpost-on-behalf-of-pain-patients/

“So I’m writing because I hope the Huffington Post, as a major news organization, will do something to help us. Don’t worry, I don’t expect a response — if I can’t get one from government agencies like the Medical Board and Department of Health in my state, I surely don’t expect to receive one from the Huffington Post. But I had to try, because maybe, just maybe, the right media coverage will save the life of one chronic pain patient. Maybe if pain patients see this coverage, they will begin to have hope. If our stories can be told, then maybe it will stop a pain patient from giving up and committing suicide.”

Of course, I never received a response from the Huffington Post. And since this organization’s coverage hasn’t changed one iota in the year since I sent this email, it appears my voice — and the voices of all pain patients — mean absolutely nothing to the media. I have to wonder why that’s the case, but it’s not like I have the answer. Our stories are not being told, but with my blog, at least our stories will remain forever on the internet.

“Like the story of a veteran in New Mexico who was denied renewal in the Medical Cannabis Program, and weeks later, committed suicide.”

And now I’m crying…