Arrogant Ignorant Murderous Asshole

[zingerella]

Yesterday, in the course of a phonecall about seasonal logistics, my mom felt it necessary to mention to me that she'd been chatting with a friend who had seen my dad at lunch with several old cronies, and that the three of them were completely shitfaced, and that my dad had then proceeded to drive home

Comments

[northbard]

First off *hugs*

I lost my adopted mother to a drunk driver, and share your feelings on the matter.

Were you wanting suggestions as to how you might present this issue to him?

[zingerella]

*hugs*

I'm so sorry.

No suggestions just yet, please, and thank-you for asking. I may ask you later. Right now I need to consider whens and wheres.

[dagibbs]

*hugs*

I wish I had useful suggestions. For some people, you're right, they feel that things just don't apply to them, and often there isn't any way short of disaster to get through to them.

[zingerella]

Sigh.

I will be sad if he hurts himself, but really, it's his life and if he wants to take foolish risks, well, that's his lookout. It offends me and terrifies me that the disaster that gets through to him will likely involve someone else, who didn't choose to take that kind of stupid risk.

[dagibbs]

I, too, am strongly in favour of people being able to risk themselves. But, yes, the cost to uninvolved strangers is the real horror.

[ext_95021]

It is unfortunately extremely difficult to engage with addicts about their addictive behavior. It more or less requires that the addict decide that the addiction is a problem, rather than a necessity; until then, the only stuff that works isn't legal for private citizens to attempt.

Reason doesn't work, can't work, and trying isn't going to do you any good.

The MADD web site (http://www.madd.ca/) suggests calling 911; only works if you're nearby at the time, but I can't imagine that they didn't clear it with 911 before they stuck it on their front page scrolly video ads. (It's number 3.)

Do that once, and, assuming a stop, all the legal machinery will be activated.

[bunsen_h]

It might be worth contacting the police and asking if there is anything that they can do along the lines of keeping an eye out for him. Difficult to do, but... better than the alternative.

A few weeks back, I left a message for the welfare office, letting them know that someone I'd known for decades appeared to be cheating the system. I used to think tolerably well of him, but especially in recent years, he's become pretty much a total asshole. There are other people who need that money... and after all this time, after all the crap he's done, I don't regard him as "one of my people" any more.

[mycrazyhair]

Oh, hell. (((hugs)))

I am so glad my dad doesn't drink anymore.

[zingerella]

*hugs*