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Michael Garrett*** – 2003 Chair, HCV Committee President, Long Island NAMA Vice President, Long Beach MMTP Patient Advisory Committee We at the National Alliance of Methadone Advocates (NAMA) will miss Michael Garrett who was one of our experienced advocates and leaders. Michael began as a advocate and member of NAMA about 10 years ago with writing letters to everyone whether they responded or not. NAMA received some of those early letters about his perceptions and what needed to be made right. These early letters were all hand written before he got a computer and if just a few patients from each clinic would take such initiatives it would give policy makers, politicians and professionals more insight into the issues that confront methadone patients. When Michael along with James DePasquale and decided to organize the Long Beach PAC it was just as NAMA was starting to grow into a network of organizations. The group became one of NAMA’s early chapters and from this experience they expanded to Long Island NAMA. Michael was instrumental in helping NAMA during the early years when the federal regulations were being changed. He attended several meetings providing input with his usual ‘wit’ and perceptions about how methadone treatment should be. Michael was also chair of the HCV Committee and developed a website to provide information about the disease to patients. Michael was as a role model for other patients. He demonstrated to other patients that they could be included in important issues that related to their treatment and impacted their lives. He was always available to help patients on a one to one basis. Michael has influenced hundreds, perhaps thousands of patients on the Internet, by email, phone calls and face to face. Even with his death Michael has made a contribution to NAMA. It has brought to our attention that we have no way to honor our leaders or other advocates that have done things for the benefit of all patients. Therefore we have decided to begin an Honorarium on our website, “We Remember” to honor and remember those who have contributed to methadone advocacy. We at NAMA will miss Michael Garrett and express our heartfelt sympathy to his family and close friends. |
John Mordaunt*** – 1995 President, Frontliners John Mordaunt was a tireless advocate of HIV infected drug users. He was the first HIV+ drug user to be shown on national television in his country, England. Mordaunt helped to found the British advocacy organization for HIV infected drug users called Frontliners and was active with the European Interest Group on Drug Policy, a European umbrella organization for user groups. In spite of his illness Mordaunt accomplished an incredible amount of work as a champion for the civil liberties of drug users. In 1990 upon learning of NAMA Mordaunt wrote to us with his encouragement and how methadone had given him the chance to have a normal life. The letter was published in a small newsletter that proceeded The Ombudsman, called NAMA News & Notes. John Mordaunt devoted the last years of his life to making changes, his energy and presence will be missed. |