This patient`s verse shows great wisdom

Much of Addiction Professional’s mission has centered on celebrating the critical importance of that one-on-one relationship between the patient and the clinician. That’s why it was so gratifying recently to hear from a patient in New Mexico who put his feelings about the dedication of counselors into a touching poem.

The patient agreed to be identified by us. He is Kenneth Roller, and the agency where he receives services is Substance Abuse Services of Lincoln & Otero Counties, with offices in Ruidoso and Alamogordo.

Roller titled his work “The Price.” I think you’ll agree that he has captured a great deal about the challenges addiction counselors face, in both the good times and bad:

As this world tries to spin out of control

The world looks for a cure and someone who might know

Drug and alcohol counselors find they are always short on time

As the world spins harder as more troubled people get out of line

The stories are all different but seem “awfully” the same

As every day more kids turn 21 and a new drug is put in the game

With the government rules and all the paperwork to be done

All the problems and excuses make them wish to be outside in the sun

To see the tears and the fears and hurt that’s in a young person’s face

To see one of their elders trying again as the pain is hard to erase

To see the young mothers with abusive husbands with no money

As they try to explain a life of drugs and alcohol won’t end funny

Sometimes you just want to bang your head and cry

As the devil wins one more as someone loses and dies

The defeats chip away pieces as they go through the years

To think of the lives that have been helped can also bring tears

They pray that their advice will help someone as they go through the day

They hold the victories and blessings close as it’s not for the pay

I write this in “total respect” for the extraordinary people who care

The way the world’s going we need more of you out there

Fight hard; try not to lose hope

Without you how would us troubled people cope?