I listened to a depressing programme on the BBC this morning. It was all about the opioid crisis in Louisville, Kentucky. The BBC people followed local people for a month, meeting teachers, addicts, law enforcement people etc. Louisville’s figures for opioid problems are double the national average. They interviewed a school teacher who said that Health Education in their area need only be one lesson a semester. I was shocked to hear that the school had 3 sheriffs and 80 security guards. It must feel more like a prison.
The statistics for babies being addicted to substances while in the amnionic fluid are horrendous. The lady said that over the years there’s been a 700% increase in substance induced babies, and that’s the national average and not the figure for Louisville. Even the editor of the local newspaper said his 28 year old son had been in and out of prison and had drug related issues. Doctors prescribe opioids willy-nilly. One pharmacist told a man bringing a prescription, “If you take this medicine you will die.” The man took the prescription to another pharmacy and died within the month.
I’ve had a day of absolute flexibility and patience. I was supposed to go to the airport to meet Mick this morning but eventually that was cancelled. In the afternoon I left at 2pm to go to the airport to meet Polycarpe from Burundi. Vuth carried letters and documents that guaranteed his entry into Cambodia. We waited outside the airport for an hour and there was no sign of Polycarpe. Luckily Vuth knew a man working inside the airport and he found a way of getting Vuth inside. I then stood outside for another 1 1/2 hours.
The problem with Africans coming here is that they have a reputation for getting involved in bad things, such as internet scams, gambling etc. Most of these are from West Africa but the authorities put all Africans in the same basket. Vuth was told the visa people hadn’t been advised properly about Polycarpe. Eventually, they let him in but Vuth had to sign a declaration that he would be totally responsible if Polycarpe did anything wrong while here. That’s made Vuth’s wife angry and worried.
On the way to the hotel we asked Polycarpe what he could eat. Africans are so fussy - in India I worked with one Kenyan lady who spent six months eating meat and ice cream. He said he liked fish. At the hotel we ordered a fish dish; he took one look at it and said he couldn’t eat it. He took some plain rice and then said he didn’t like it. Then he complained about the size of the spoon. I honestly don’t know why they come if they won’t eat the food. I’m glad he’s going to be based in another town from the 3rd!
The Canadian dentists stay at this same hotel so I know the staff quite well. I discovered that the hotel restaurant has been taken over by Chinese people. The desk clerk said they learn Khmer but only to listen - never to speak. She said they are rude and walk around the place as if they own the hotel too, which they don’t. I’m now thinking we need a different hotel for the Canadian next January.
I’m going to have to find something else to drink when I go to a coffee shop, which is almost daily because of it being the favourite meeting place for people. They make excellent coffee but my stomach is rebelling. Maybe I should try the latest craze, avocado shake!
