The Blind Green Eyes


A pair of green eyes were watching me intently as I took his vital signs. The deputy was nearby to guard me. There was something odd about him. He answered appropriately when I asked him questions, yet, his behavior would go from silence to an instant giggling at times. He just came back from the hospital and got treated for a smashed nose and his odd behavior, as a result of substance abuse.

Prior to him being sent to the hospital for evaluation and treatment, two deputies wheeled the guerney where he was strapped. His nose was bloody and kept on bleeding. He wasn’t sure what happened. The deputies warned us that he was spitting on them earlier. And that they saw him hit the door of his cell.

I grabbed a few 4x4 gauze sponges and put pressure on the bridge of his nose. He slid down a bit but the deputies didn’t want to remove the handcuffs for our protection. It was difficult to obtain his blood pressure, as the sensitive machine sensed every bit of his restlessness. He was arrested for assaulting a police officer. His drug test came back positive for marijuana use.

Medical marijuana is a sensitive issue. As it helps a lot of terminally-ill patients, there is also a big chance that it would be openly abused by the wrong crowd. Though it has been being abused before, especially by younger generations. Some people don’t think that marijuana can harm someone.

But marijuana’s side effects can be as simple as an increased appetite to a more complicated medical condition like lung cancer. It can cause a toxic psychosis, which perhaps, explained what that young man I treated was going through. Users can have hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of self-identification.

Marijuana can wreak havoc in the brain when used habitually. The ability to learn, remember and adapt to changes may be impaired. It may cause depression that makes the person use it more, to obtain a quick fix…

Those green eyes kept staring at me, but I didn’t want to provoke any unwanted attention. I shied away, but with a firm voice, I told him what would be done for him, though every word I uttered seemed to have just gone out his other ear. I didn’t let his constant giggling annoy me. I just knew. It was wiser for me to not notice that behavior.

He was escorted back to the unit. Half an hour later, the deputies in that unit were requesting for the medical staff to put this 18 year old man, with unpredictable and unusual behavior to be re-housed for a psychiatric evaluation. It was just risky to house him with some inmates. Either he would hurt someone, or he’d be the one to get beaten up.

Those green eyes…So beautiful. But deep inside. Were unable to see.

Christians are to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

Does that include our bodies? I think so…For using drugs destroy the health: physically, mentally and emotionally.

What’s your take on “medical marijuana?”

17 comments:

  1. I think medical MJ is fine for the appropriate people; typically terminally ill. It's been shown to be quite helpful for pain/stress relief for some specific maladies.

    But,just like any other pain med, it's harmful when used by people who do not need it.

    Because he knows (even though I try not to show it) that it annoys me, my middle son makes jokes sometimes about MJ. But the truth is that I don't know any Believers who think it's fine to smoke it. It's kind of weird because my neighbors who just moved in across the street, have a son 1 yr older than my middle son and he openly smokes MJ out on the their deck.

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  2. Street drugs can really mess you up,especially if there is an under lying mental illness.

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  3. AMEN..Great post!!

    I know what you mean about ignoring that behavior. Sometimes we see it with the Psych. patients and it is best to act as though it does not happen. I gets under my skin, too. I feel as though I am in a face off with satan himself in that setting! Thank GOD my GOD is greater and "always" wins!
    andrea

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  4. I agree with Andrea. I do encounter some even from church.. and we try to shy away, best pretend we didn't notice anything odd and keep at a safer distance. They could be dangerously unpredictable, so it's best to be aware.
    ~Silver

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  5. Amen......Great post!

    I've had the honor of sharing a Bible study in a half way house for women - most of which are recovering from substance abuse and addictions. Very heart breaking and in some cases seemingly impossible. I always stay prayed up and covered by The Blood of Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit when I'm with them. Many are cold, hard hardened and distant but I know that the seeds of the Word and the anointing that is present during the Bible study will someway, somehow break through and make a difference in their lives!

    Rosel, I'm always so blessed by your posts and so appreciate you sharing the "down and dirty" of the humanity God puts in your path. Each and everyone are just as precious to Him as you and I. Every time I read your posts I'm reminded of that once again........There but by the Grace of God go I.

    Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

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  6. your presence, your prayers, your spirit is a blessing among those who are hurting so much they don't care about hurting themselves. when I was locked in the pysch ward, seeing and hearing some of the behaviours scared me more than anything. I think you're right not to pay attention to the 'weirdness.' Praying for you to stay strong and safe. Sarah

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  7. Rosel,
    If a drug can help someone who truly needs it I think it is OK. Then I guess the question is; who really needs it?
    Merry Christmas my friend!!! Thank you for all you do.
    Your sister in Christ,
    Bren

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  8. I don't think MJ should be used even for the medicinal purposes. God is always sufficient to help even the terminally ill through what they are experiencing, and that illness may be His tool and their last hope at finding Him and the everlasting life that He offers. Providing mind altering drugs can hinder that.

    God promises that He will not give us more than we can bear.

    I smoked mj as a teen and it did not do anything for me that would make it appealing to me for any medicinal purpose.

    I always love your thoughts Rosel!
    Much love!

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  9. This is a tough question.....and one I don't feel "qualified" judge or to answer....as many questions in life, lol.

    I can only pray that the terminally ill patients find more peace/healing with knowing Jesus..... no matter what medication they are taking.

    I am so thankful that God has placed you where you are......what a shining Light you are. I always get this image of a lighthouse when I think about you working in that environment.

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  10. ack, I don't know if my comment posted!

    So I'll try again.

    OK, so I said that your question was a tough one. I don't feel qualified to answer it (as many of life's questions) I guess I can just pray that terminally ill patients get the most peace/healing by knowing God and the comfort He brings, no matter what medications they are taking.

    I also said that you truly are a blessing. A Light. When I think about you working in that environment, I always get the image of a Lighthouse.

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  11. Thanks everyone for coming by and it's just interesting to see what you are led to say about this issue. I love that in our differences, we also, can learn from them.

    Like sister Edie's comment, my take on this is that even though no one likes to suffer, as Christians, we know that we go through fiery trials sometimes. But when we do, hopefully, we emerge to be stronger in character and the "dross" be removed. That way, the material comes out for the Refiner...[Prov.25:4].

    God bless you all and thank you for always encouraging me...

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  12. Praise God for your keen discernment and strong faith. You have been born for this important work. I'm praising Him not only for your friendship, but your prayer life! Thank you for powerful prayers for us. God gave us favor in all things and huge opportunities to testify to the truth! The Holy Spirit was in that courtroom! We are amazed at God's presence and how He honors His Word!

    I will cover you with my prayers this month. You're right, it is hard when memories flood us of our family members who have gone home. I love you, Sis.

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  13. That last question was an eye-opener for me. What do I use to "numb my senses" rather than just running to the arms of Jesus when life gets hard? Depression? Self pity? I will have to give this some thought!

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  14. You have an award on arise 2 write.
    andrea

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  15. Rosel, I hope he will get the help he needs. I have been thinking about you and felt led to say extra Prayers for you. How are you? Miss you and love you lots, Audrey

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  16. Thanks, Rosel. You have the heart and love of Christ. You are a light and i am blest to have received so much encouragement and kind words from you.

    love,
    ~Silver

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
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