by Steve Reinbrecht
The Reading Eagle tries so hard to look like a real
newspaper when it writes about important topics. But the newsroom leadership
has so little journalistic know-how that most of its investigative efforts are gibberish.
The web headline tries harder: “On drug abuse policy, one
group wields enormous clout but is shrouded in mystery.”
But the 1,600-word story about the Drug And Alcohol Service
Providers Organization Of Pennsylvania never explains what the damn problem is.
What sneaky behind-the-scenes shenanigans does the Eagle
think it has discovered in its self-described “scrutiny of DASPOP”?
What’s an example of the “enormous clout” the group has had?
Why not ask Judy Schwank or Tom Caltagirone. And how has that harmed addicts
seeking treatment?
The paper quotes lots of people saying opiate-addiction treatment
is ineffective. So how is that the DASPOP’s fault? How has the lobbying group detrimentally
affected how addicts get treatment? The story never says.
The big claim is that the Eagle can’t get a list of its members.
The story tries hard to justify its existence:
“The identity of DASPOP's membership has taken on greater
relevance as Berks County and Pennsylvania struggle to cope with an epidemic of
heroin deaths. Many parents, having spent tens of thousands of dollars on drug
treatment on children who subsequently return to drug use, view the system that
DASPOP appears to represent with skepticism.
" ‘The rehabs are counting on you relapsing," said
Cindy Wanamaker, a Chester County resident who has a 28-year-old son with a
history of heroin abuse. "I am sorry; they just are.’ "
But the Eagle never says how identifying DASPOP’s members
might relate to the epidemic of deaths, or how the system “that DASPOP appears to
represent” is letting them down. What’s the “relevance”?
STORY IDEA: If rehabs want victims to relapse, why not
investigate the rehabs?
Not one is contacted or even named in this goofy story.
The Eagle lists the sob stories:
“Wanamaker took out a home equity loan to pay the $30,000
bill for her son's stay at a Berks inpatient facility. It was one of at least
six rehab stays.
“Rich Gunter of South Heidelberg Township wiped out a retirement
account as he and his wife tried to help their son fight heroin addiction.
Between multiple rehab stays followed by relapses, wrecked cars and stolen
family items, the struggle has cost the family more than $100,000.
“Julie Umstead of Lower Pottsgrove Township estimated she
has spent $34,500 on treatment alone for her 20-year-old daughter, including
$19,000 out-of-pocket for a stay in a Berks program.
“Coleen Watchorn of Limerick Township said she and her son's
father spent more than $50,000 before their son, Stephen Watchorn, died of a
heroin overdose in 2012."
But the reporter never identifies any of these ineffective
institutions, much less calls them to ask about the accusations. Is the policy
not to embarrass any advertisers or prospective advertisers?
Or maybe he asked, but the families forgot.
“She [Watchorn] said, ‘I can't even remember all of the
treatment facilities he went to.’ "
Why not investigate treatment in Berks County?
Here are some basic questions. I’m sure COCA has these
answers at its figurative fingertips.
- How many people need treatment for opiate addiction in Berks?
- What exactly happens to addicts when they call a hotline? What steps would they follow to get treated and how does that work in reality?
- What do police do when they make an arrest for opiate related crime? Is treatment offered?
- What happens to an addict suffering withdrawal who appears at one of the hospital emergency rooms? Are they offered treatment?
The Eagle ran a story about a family apparently turned away
from “the hospital,” again not identified. Why not look into this?
Thursday's front-page story is a waste of ink and pixels. How
about educating us on the mayoral election, or where Reading’s community
development money goes, or what happens to the houses on the city’s blighted-house list?
