Riptide...

He wasn't the hottest guy.  He didn't have the greatest body or the best smile.  But when Phillip Seymour Hoffman was on the screen, I couldn't take my eyes off of him.  I have seen most of the movies he has acted in and was completely convinced of his character every single time.  Be it a priest, a gay porn star ,or a backwoods redneck-he nailed it perfectly and most times stole the scene from the leading character.  I loved his New York world weary, and very honest personality.

January 27-February 02 is Drug Awareness Week and I find it a horrible irony that Phillip's death was on the very last day of that week.

I have been learning about something called Harm Reduction in regards to addiction.  It has been used in drug programs for years in Canada, Europe and Australia.  From what I understand, it's a more realistic approach that the typical all-or-nothing method.  The all or nothing mentality doesn't work for most people and seems to be a set up for failure and that brings the very consequences that caused the relapse in the first place.  And with a very large chance of relapse, it seems clear that maybe a different method should be investigated.  It's the proverbial vicious circle.

  People with allergies have access to an epi-pen in case of emergency.  People with diabetes can control it (to some degree) with insulin.  There are medications available for most chronic diseases that can minimize the risks associated with the condition.  With heroin, an opiate agonist drug must be used to counteract the overdose.  I realize the controversy this will generate, but possibly the legalization of drugs.  With regulation, comes safety.

I know this is not the usual fluff that troubles my world, but I just wanted to give you all food for thought as I feel the loss of one of the great actors of our time.  It will take much more education, compassion, understanding and realistic thinking to possibly make a difference for this situation.

So for today, R.I.P. Phillip Seymour Hoffman.