Born addicted RTE2 Thursday night

Lisha

I just spotted the ad for Born Addicted, which airs Thursday night on RTE2.

I dunno if I'll be able to watch it. I know addicts deserve help, especially if they seek it out. But the poor children rarely have a real chance at life. It's going to be upsetting.

But I also think that the TV stations exploit the addicts for no reason other than ratings.

Hard to see if such a program could serve any positive impact.

brian_t

Part of the Reality Bites series on RTE2.

http://www.rte.ie/tv/realitybites/

Born Addicted explores this issue from all angles: we talk to expectant mothers who are on methadone, doctors treating the new-borns and some of the children - now adults - themselves

amdublin

Yes looks like a tough watch alright

Emz2910

I think it's of great benefit for RTE to air a programme like this as its very informative. I agree it can be a challenge to watch but might also scare a few people into not taking drugs?
Im looking forward to gaining more of an insight into an area of addiction I know nothing about.

amdublin

Oh dear god that poor little crying baby


Sweet jesus

Lisha

amdublin wrote: »

Oh dear god that poor little crying baby


Sweet jesus

It's just heart wrenching

amdublin

I am so glad they blurred the little babies face. They didn't choose to be born that way. So unfair.

JustTheOne

7 kids, 7.

amdublin

Jesus Christ. I've no words.

NIMAN

Is it right that these 2 should be allowed to bring children into the world?

What hope will the kids ever have with those as parents.

I know that sounds harsh, but its something that needs to be considered.

amdublin

NIMAN wrote: »

Is it right that these 2 should be allowed to bring children into the world?

What hope will the kids ever have with those as parents.

I know that sounds harsh, but its something that needs to be considered.

I don't know Niman. As methadone addicts go I've seen worse.


And then how do you prevent that? Who are we to stop people having children. Better I think to support them as parents and try break the cycle that their children won't be addicts.

JustTheOne

NIMAN wrote: »

Is it right that these 2 should be allowed to bring children into the world?

What hope will the kids ever have with those as parents.

I know that sounds harsh, but its something that needs to be considered.

It's a joke. Seriously. They shouldn't have the financial option to have a baby. Don't give them money when they have a child.

sudzs

How many miscarriages? And how many infant deaths?? With all their methadone care do none of the professionals think to suggest or dare I say it, impose birth control???? Beggars belief! :eek:

NIMAN

JustTheOne wrote: »

It's a joke. Seriously. They shouldn't have the financial option to have a baby. Don't give them money when they have a child.

That would be punishing the child twice I'm afraid.

BabysCoffee

Heartbreaking to see the little baby in withdrawal

amdublin

sudzs wrote: »

How many miscarriages? And how many infant deaths?? With all their methadone care do none of the professionals think to suggest or dare I say it, impose birth control???? Beggars belief! :eek:

Maybe they have suggested it. They can't force someone to take it.

JustTheOne

NIMAN wrote: »

That would be punishing the child twice I'm afraid.

I mean the incentive to these people shouldn't be the state will support your child if you have one.

It's just too easy.

Disgrace it is.

BabysCoffee

This methadone malarkey is a joke.

I think the government likes to keep them dosed up on the methadone......keeps the crime rate down.....they are like zombies

Surely the aim is to get off the methadone? These people sound like they will be on it eternally.

10 yrs on methadone is a ridiculous

amdublin

JustTheOne wrote: »

I mean the incentive to these people shouldn't be the state will support your child if you have one.

It's just too easy.

Disgrace it is.

It's very difficult to get off heroin. The pair they featured (Thomas & Lisa) seem to be trying their best to avoid it by using methadone instead. There are a lot of people who use state support I don't know why we would say No to this couple.

HamsterFace

amdublin wrote: »

I don't know Niman. As methadone addicts go I've seen worse.


And then how do you prevent that? Who are we to stop people having children. Better I think to support them as parents and try break the cycle that their children won't be addicts.

Myself and herself would love a kid but just cant afford one. Scary as we're in our thirties.

I know it sounds cynical but they can't afford so shouldnt. Or should we quit our jobs so we can qualify for some help?

Your man looks great, fair play to him.

sudzs

amdublin wrote: »

Maybe they have suggested it. They can't force someone to take it.

true true...

NIMAN

BabysCoffee wrote: »

This methadone malarkey is a joke.

I think the government likes to keep them dosed up on the methadone......keeps the crime rate down.....they are like zombies

Surely the aim is to get off the methadone? These people sound like they will be on it eternally.

10 yrs on methadone is a ridiculous

It certainly is a slow weaning process. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

BabysCoffee

amdublin wrote: »

It's very difficult to get off heroin. The pair they featured (Thomas & Lisa) seem to be trying their best to avoid it by using methadone instead. There are a lot of people who use state support I don't know why we would say No to this couple.

But will they ever get off the methadone???

It's just a legalised substitute. It's as bad as heroin

amdublin

BabysCoffee wrote: »

This methadone malarkey is a joke.

I think the government likes to keep them dosed up on the methadone......keeps the crime rate down.....they are like zombies

Surely the aim is to get off the methadone? These people sound like they will be on it eternally.

10 yrs on methadone is a ridiculous

I would agree. I am not an expert but I do believe that the methadone program in Ireland is "maintenance" not "weaning".


Anyone know more about it then I?

Lisha

NIMAN wrote: »

Is it right that these 2 should be allowed to bring children into the world?

What hope will the kids ever have with those as parents.

I know that sounds harsh, but its something that needs to be considered.

Tbh the way the were talking about the happiness of having babies was the exact same way they described 'chasing the dragon' with drugs.
Ffs babies are amazing but they don't make everything perfect all the time. It's hard work. I remember being stressed when mine were babies and all I could think of was how do people with real big problems and especially those which money issues manage.
These two might think a baby will make all their worries disappear but what about the child. So wrapped up in the happy buzz a baby will give them they don't think about the babies quality of life at all.

amdublin

BabysCoffee wrote: »

But will they ever get off the methadone???

It's just a legalised substitute. It's as bad as heroin

I'm with you on this.

JustTheOne

amdublin wrote: »

It's very difficult to get off heroin. The pair they featured (Thomas & Lisa) seem to be trying their best to avoid it by using methadone instead. There are a lot of people who use state support I don't know why we would say No to this couple.

Are you serious?

You think these two should allowed have a baby and expect the state to pay for it?

BabysCoffee

This lady has had a crap life from the get go. Very sad.

amdublin

Is this lady still on drugs/methadone?


She seems less "zombie" like and is actually showing a raw emotion compared to the others who see to show neither up or down.

BabysCoffee

JustTheOne wrote: »

Are you serious?

You think these two should allowed have a baby and expect the state to pay for it?

What are you going to do? Castrate the man and force birth control on the woman?

JustTheOne

This one has 7 kids.

The mind boggles.

amdublin

JustTheOne wrote: »

Are you serious?

You think these two should allowed have a baby and expect the state to pay for it?

You think they should have a baby and not get any state support? (but other people would get support)


Why does that baby not deserve support?? Some life you are wishing on the child. Bad enough to have the misfortune to be born to addicted parents but the state also abandons them..

JustTheOne

BabysCoffee wrote: »

What are you going to do? Castrate the man and force birth control on the woman?

No not make it financially viable to pop out children when you're unemployed and addicted to methadone ffs.

JustTheOne

amdublin wrote: »

You think they should have a baby and not get any state support? (but other people would get support)


Why does that baby not deserve support?? Some life you are wishing on the child. Bad enough to have the misfortune to be born to addicted parents but the state also abandons them..

Totally taking it up wrong.

Is it not fairer to try stop the incentive to bring a poor baby into this sort of life.

Supporting them and making it easy just gives them the idea.

BabysCoffee

JustTheOne wrote: »

No not make it financially viable to pop out children when you're unemployed and addicted to methadone ffs.

Then you are forcing hardship on the baby. Why does that baby deserve any less than any other baby born in the State?

HamsterFace

"Who cares if I'm on methadone, I don't pay for it"

Indeed... Don't pay for much do ya, have another couple of kids, we'll foot the bills while working our bollix off to pay our own rent.

Sorry, **** off

lazygal

JustTheOne wrote: »

No not make it financially viable to pop out children when you're unemployed and addicted to methadone ffs.

There's no options when you're pregnant in Ireland other than remaining pregnant. What do you suggest such women do when they're pregnant?

JustTheOne

BabysCoffee wrote: »

Then you are forcing hardship on the baby. Why does that baby deserve any less than any other baby born in the State?

Right so lets just keep telling them you go ahead and have kids affected to methadone and we will support you financially.

Warped logic.

amdublin

JustTheOne wrote: »

No not make it financially viable to pop out children when you're unemployed and addicted to methadone ffs.

People have children. And they get support if they are entitled to it. We don't decide that some don't because they do drugs. In an ideal world of course things would be different. But it's not. I really don't see any alternative. Cut the support to them...what life is there for the child (even worse than their life as it is)

lazygal

JustTheOne wrote: »

Right so lets just keep telling them you go ahead and have kids affected to methadone and we will support you financially.

Warped logic.

Women get pregnant. And they have no options here but to remain pregnant. What should happen to.the children?

HamsterFace

Oh ffs, this woman is in no way fit to ever be let near a child never mind breed her own, really she's not

JustTheOne

HamsterFace wrote: »

"Who cares if I'm on methadone, I don't pay for it"

Indeed... Don't pay for much do ya, have another couple of kids, we'll foot the bills while working our bollix off to pay our own rent.

Sorry, **** off

This is the point im trying to get across.

It's too easy for this woman to have 7 kids while on methadone.
The whole welfare system needs to overhauled. This is disgraceful.

Lisha

These two don't have the mental or emotional abilities to raise a child.

If saying that makes me a bad person then so be it.

The children deserve a better chance than that

amdublin

Mod:
Ok we are going a bit off topic here.

Let's finish the Should They or Should They not get Social Welfare and get back to just discussing the tv program.

BabysCoffee

JustTheOne wrote: »

Right so lets just keep telling them you go ahead and have kids affected to methadone and we will support you financially.

Warped logic.

It's not up to us to cast judgement and decide who can and can't have babies.

Where would you draw the line?

Would you prevent people with disabilities from having babies? They will need a lot of support that will cost money (paid for by the state).

Samsgirl

Im just sad and shocked. Poor babies. Not a chance from the start.

amdublin

It's the children I definitely feel sorry for alright

Lisha

These two don't have the mental or emotional abilities to raise a child.

If saying that makes me a bad person then so be it.

The children deserve a better chance than that

BabysCoffee

Lisha wrote: »

These two don't have the mental or emotional abilities to raise a child.

If saying that makes me a bad person then so be it.

The children deserve a better chance than that

It is a sad situation. I agree with all of the above.

But I am thankful that we live in a country where the government provides support for people like this and their children. Hopefully the children will have a decent life for these supports.

And I would hope that the parents get off the methadone in the future (but I am seriously doubtful)

HamsterFace

BabysCoffee wrote: »

It's not up to us to cast judgement and decide who can and can't have babies.

Where would you draw the line?

Would you prevent people with disabilities from having babies? They will need a lot of support that will cost money (paid for by the state).

Yeah you might be right on that.

But the state has a responsibility to look after the welfare of the child which in, very exceptional, circumstances can mean taking the child into care.

A child being in care isn't fantastic but in my opinion is better than living in a household where you learn nothing of personal responsibility

BabysCoffee

Where is this shop? I missed the beginning. Does he own it?