‘The Cuckoo’s Nest’

Monday, July 22, 2014

It may, or may not, be a surprise to learn that 90% of the prison population here is medicated in some way. Some inmates self-medicate with homemade alcohol: ‘hooch’ or ‘pruno’. Others smoke anything they can get their hands on: crack, meth, PCP, marijuana and spice are all quite popular. The “snorters” use various psychotropic medications: cocaine, bath salts, and if all else fails, I have seen some crush up simple Ibuprofen in hopes of generating a placebo. I have no idea if it really works, but they do it none the less. Whatever the case may be, it is odd, slightly comical and yes, frightening all at the same time.

The population that is medicated via the inmate pharmacy are obvious. Guys walk around doing the “Thorazin Shuffle” or the “Haldol Bend”. Unfortunately, a lot of these guys do not get the appropriate mental health care that they need. They are medicated as a way of keeping control and balance within the population. The psych. Medication pill line is forever growing longer here because very few inmates are authorized to keep their medication on their person. Because of that, the line outside medical resembles that of a Black Friday Sale.

I expect that some of you reading this are wondering if I am on any medication. Really it is something that I do not speak of often, but I figure I may as well come out with it. I am in fact, prescribed Zoloft and Abilify. I have had OCD character traits all of my life but combining those with the environmental depression associated with incarceration, was much too difficult to manage. I began a series of psychoanalytical session and conferred with my mom at length before deciding to go on any medication. The upside is that I am authorized to keep my medications with me so I do not have to brave the dreaded pill call lines. In addition to the psych medications, I am also prescribed Excedrin w/ caffeine (migraines) and Singulair and Flonase (allergies). 

There are not many people who are even aware that I take medication. You would never know by meeting me or having a conversation with me. At the same time, I have never believed that it was anyone’s business, but my own. A part of me wishes that I did not have to take these drugs, and in the future, perhaps I will not. That is a hill I will have to climb once this experience is in the rear view mirror.