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Rob Johnstone has battled alcoholism for 40 years, and can't find a non-religious recovery program, so he filed a complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission... which woud lead to the conclusion that he thinks that having a government treatment program for his particular problem is a right.
I say bollocks.
He said he was encouraged by the AFM to find strength in God or a higher power in order to recover, but couldn't stomach it and was asked to leave.He has an entitlement mentality that says he is owed a treatment program suited to his particular challenges that must be funded by the government.
Johnstone said after scouting around for another program that was free of spirituality, he said he couldn't find one — despite a few offering what they describe as "faith-free" options.
Programs offered by Manitoba's Native Addictions Council and the Behavioural Health Foundation each contained spiritual elements like aboriginal drum ceremonies, Johnstone said.
While I strongly support the separation of church and state, these treatment programs are often run by semi-private organizations that are not official government agencies, they are their own organization doing their programs they way they want. Rob Johnstone think that it is his human right that these organizations tailor their programs to his needs.
He is the one with the problem, he is the one seeking help, he is not owed anything by anyone, he should be grateful for programs that help people in his situation, many of which are likely volunteer driven.
He was offered help and didn't have the maturity to accept it, when all he would have to do is respect the culture of the people offering it.
Typical in today's nanny state society, instead of taking initiative and doing something productive like forming his own organization, he ran to the government to complain.
He gets no sympathy from me. Treatment is not a human right, no one owes Rob Johnstone anything.
7 comments:
If his tax dollars are used to support "religious" treatment program, I would say yes he has a right yo ask for treatment that does not involve a "higher' power.
The fact that he has a disease and needs treatment requires that the state gives it to him. Simply saying he form his own organization implies that he can function and has the energy to set it up. If he is an alcoholic, he doesn't have that capacity.
Instead of wasting time arguing RJ's human rights , perhaps we can just give him the help he needs, without God, who by the way, has more pressing matters to deal with.
"The fact that he has a disease and needs treatment requires that the state gives it to him."
I would disagree. Alcholism is NOT a disease, that is just a buzz term that removes the personal accountability of the alcoholic.
"perhaps we can just give him the help he needs, without God"
Beggars can't be choosers.
I'm with you on this one, far too many bad behaviors and personal choices are labelled as diseases these days. That way the individual doesn't have to be responsible for his/her choices, it's the disease's fault. People who are 'victims' of their 'diseases' do feel entitled to someone else taking care of the problem for them. So why are we surprised that this individual feels that he can dictate his treatment requirements to the gov't? I doubt the HRC will be able to force private organizations to cater to him, so that means the public agencies are expected to do so. Good luck with that, they don't provide enough beds for in-house treatment as it stands right now, how is the WRC going to force an extra program for 1 guy?
Treatment costs money. A publicly funded treatment centre would be financed with tax dollars which belong to the taxpayer, not to the government. If treatment is a right, that implies that the patient has a right to the earnings of others. That is a fundamental violation of property rights.
Rights are something we are born with and are universal. They exist automatically whether the government chooses to recognize them or not. Mr.Johnstone thinks he is entitled to treatment and confuses that with a right. Unfortunately the HRCs, which should be called Human Entitlement Commissions, and governments are perpetuating this confusion and it's leading to an entitlement society.
drug alcohol treatment centers and the like are essential for those victimized by such substances. These will initiate a clean, sober and healthy environment for each and everyone of us for it's a right for everyone to be saved from this kind of situation by better and constructive means.
"drug alcohol treatment centers and the like are essential"
Agreed.
"for those victimized by such substances."
Drug users are not victims, they make the choice to use it so they muist be accoutable for that choice.
"it's a right for everyone to be saved from this kind of situation by better and constructive means."
How is it a "right"? That implies that other people have an obligation to provide treatment for drug users. No, I am under no such obligation. Drug treatment should not be paid for with tax dollars where others are forced to pay for drug users bad choices. if you want treament pay for it yourself or depend on a private organization.
@ Mr. Noby
"If his tax dollars are used to support "religious" treatment program, I would say yes he has a right yo ask for treatment that does not involve a "higher' power."
I still wouldn't call it a right, but yes, with the current system in place a secular choice should be available.
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