The problem is, this can happen if you are an alcoholic as well. And most of us know people or have family members who are functioning alcoholics. You CAN die from abrupt alcohol withdrawal. I know of two people who died in jail as a result of acute alcohol withdrawal and it’s just sad. Their lives were sad, their deaths were sad. I am unsure of this poor woman’s family situation. Had they had enough and decided to not to bail her out? No money for bail? Regardless, I believe she should have been treated at a hospital, then allowed to finish her jail time. Addiction is sad, just sad to me.
I too know someone who died on the 12th day of a 30 day DUI incarceration. He told them he was withdrawing but they didn’t care. The jail guards and their supervisors might as well have put a bullet in his head by not giving him the drugs he needed to deal with his alcohol withdrawal. None of us who knew him had any idea he drank a fifth of vodka a day on top of the beers we saw him drink.
All drunks and DUI offenders should have to go through an intake process to identify those who are at risk of dying without treatment. It’s only common sense really. If they lie about their usage during this intake process and it’s on video then the jail is covered.
When you think you have a sad story and you go listen there you realize how widespread and horrible the opioid situation really is.
Benzos, such as Xanax, Klonopin and Valium are similar. Even if you aren’t abusing them and using them as prescribed, you CAN NOT quit them cold turkey. Quitting benzos cold turkey can lead to hallucinations, convulsions and death.