#4- First Connections

What I Got From Simon Sinek

Results

There are people who want results so that they can achieve fame and riches.

There are people who want results so that they can benefit the greater good.

The people who want fame and riches want people to see them, and

the people who want to benefit the greater good want people to see their creation.

Your Statement

Another thing that Sinek said really made me think.

“Everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo. We believe in thinking differently.” This is one of the statements important to me and the way I live my life. I think it would be interesting if everyone had one. One statement that you apply to everything you do. Is that limiting? I don’t think so, because you aren’t born with the statement, you can develop it based on the way you are, and the things you do, and, of course, why you do them. For me, the statement in the beginning of this paragraph represents never being traditional, or “with the flow” because things that fall under the category of tradition or “the flow” are tried and true, and to me, that is boring.

INNOVATIVE CHANGES

Safe Haven in Gloucester

Police Chief of Gloucester, MA, was honored as a Champion of Change at the white house this year. Why? He created a new system to help with the spreading opioid crisis. His plan was to “Invite opioid addicts into the city’s police station for help. No one would be arrested even if they had drugs or paraphernalia.” This had huge success, more than 420 addicts have gone to the police since June.

A Method Most Seem to Agree On

I couldn’t find any groups or people who did something to benefit the heroin epidemic (although i’m sure there are some), what I did find is a method everyone seems to agree on. Instead of sentencing drug offenders to time in prison, putting them on probation if they agree to treatment/rehab. Unfortunately, none of the treatments or rehab seem to be effective. In the state of California, less that 20% of offenders completed the process. So, what can we do to make rehab effective? This is a question i’d like to try and answer during my time in WtS.

Why? How? What?

I believe that in order to make a change, you have to follow your passions. I believe that by studying the science behind drug addiction, I can understand the why how and what of the heroin epidemic in Vermont. I want to get into contact with the community, I want to interview and observe, study, and write. I hope that what I accomplish in What’s the Story can help make a real change.


Sources:
Fukada, Shiho. “Boston Globe Game Changers: Four Innovative Ideas for Fixing the Opioid Crisis – The
Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com. N.p., 11 May 2016. Web. 02 Oct. 2016.
Satel, Sally L. “Treatment Alone Won’t Stop Heroin Epidemic.” N.p., 13 Nov. 2013. Web.
Sinek, Simon. “How Great Leaders Inspire Action.” N.p., Sept. 2009. Web.
Maddie Parker

2 Responses to “#4- First Connections

  • Emily Rinkema
    7 years ago

    Hi Maddie,

    I’m so glad you are a part of WtS now! Your topic, the science behind drug addiction, is so important to Vermont right now. There are many other students here that are interested in related topics, but the angle you’re taking is unique, I think. I look forward to seeing how you all begin to inform each other!

    I’d love to know more about how you want to observe and connect with the community. Have you thought about how to go about doing this? Once you complete the previous post (the one with the informal interviews) you may have some more leads. I look forward to more posts from you so I can understand a bit more about your interest area.

    Thanks,
    Emily

  • Hi Maddie!

    I hope I get to meet you today on the hike. That police chief in Gloucester, MA is a leader. He really went “out of the box” and did something very counter intuitive for law enforcement when he began a novel approach (at least in this country for law enforcement). What once looks crazy to some can often build a movement. It makes me think of this TEDTalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXMnDG3QzxE.

    You should watch it. It seems like a silly example, but is so interesting to consider in a variety of contexts.

    There are a number of others really concerned and looking at addiction in a number of ways. I hope you’ll have a chance to meet those students today.

    -Tim

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