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Public Input_Daniel ScottDaniel J. Scott Drug and Alcohol Counselor (Support & Advocate) P.O. Box 1367, Dubuque, Iowa 52004-1367 Home/Office Phone (563) 227 1023 Cell Phone (563) 690 8557 E-mail Address (dan1751scott@gmail.com) Available to being contacted - 24 Hours - 7 Days a Week (If no answer, please leave a message.) (I will be in contact with you as soon as possible.) Objective: Based on the thoughts of, Paying it Forward! In my earlier years, I just didn't care as to who I hurt, who I used, and stole from, it was just all about me, me, me! The Outlaw Biker, the Drug user and Abuser, only to end up doing Cocaine my drug of choice at first, (8 ball a day), then latter in life, the drug of choice was whatever I could get my hands on. Then with the consumption of alcohol, day in and day out, it was turning to a life consisting, of party after party, and the worse came when my attitude changed me into a man, that just didn't care about anybody else, including my own family, some nicknamed me as Mr. Prick! Asshole of the year! I hit rock bottom as I went back into prison for the forth time, and I knew then that my Higher Power, had a plan for me, and after meeting with some members of a Christian Motorcycle Club (CMA), and that's when I knew it was time to put my past up to my Higher Power. Reference Books: My Quest Study Bible, and N.A. & A.A. Blue Books: Reference 1: I found within the 12 Steps of the A.A. Blue Book: I admitted that I was powerless over Drugs & Alcohol — that my life had become unmanageable. Reference 2: I found within the 12 Steps of the A.A. Blue Book: I made a decision to turn my will and life over to the care of my Higher Power (God) as I understand Him. While some entering the N.A and A.A bristle at the mention of God, makes it clear that God can come in many forms. Again, the purpose of this step is the further acknowledgment that alcoholics cannot recover on their own. This persuaded me to make my decision to turn my will -power and life over to the care of my Higher Power, (God), as I understand Him. Reference 3: Step 8: Make a list of all persons I have harmed, and be willing to make amends to all of them. (During this step, recovering Drug Abuser and Alcoholics write down a list of all the people they have hurt. Often, this list includes people they hurt during their active lives including the criminal activities of using Drugs and alcoholism; however, it may go back further to include anyone they have hurt throughout their entire lives.) Reference 4: Step 9: I needed to make direct amends to such people wherever possible. With the exception to where it would re -injure them in a way of victimizing them over again, or to others through a process called "The Ripple Effect", in which would expand to the victims Family and Friends. NOTE: pairing Step 8, and Step 9, gives recovering Drug Abusers, and Alcoholics the opportunity to make things right with those they have hurt. One's sponsor can be a big source of help during this process, helping the recovering Drug Abusers, and Alcoholics to determine the best way to go about making amends. ("Step 8 and 9", continue to be hard steps for me personally, for I am now 63 years young, and my memory has proven not to be my strong point throughout my past, especially to those I have hurt within my past, for there has been so any victims and people I have used, hurt, stolen from, this consisting of my own family and friends, expanding out to people I didn't know and didn't care about at that time, for again, it was just about me, me, me! This has led me to return back to my Higher Power each and every day, for faith and guidance.) Then after applying myself throughout 14 years of Treatment, I have learned that life isn't always about me, me, me, nor the past Drug Abuse, and Alcoholism in which controlled my life at one time. Again this has enforced my need of helping others, through my thoughts of, Paying it Forward!. Making Amends to my past victims, family, friends and especially those people I made into my victims to support my own walk through my past. I have walked the walk, I have been there. I have hit Rock Bottom many times. I was one of those people whom wouldn't go into someones office asking for help, I'd rather stay in the gutters like so many are doing now within their own lives. This is why I have chosen to reach out to to those people, they are more apt to listen to someone like myself, who has been there where they are now. My Office is in the gutters, The Streets, where I am able to help those by using my Communication Skills of listening to to them, giving them the respect that they deserve as being Human Beings. Then I try to find solutions to help themselves, wanting to make the "Right Choices", and wanting to change their lives around. I always try to be an influence on those whom I can reach out too, especially to those who are willing to accept my help. Example: I was contacted through a friend whom works through the "Jule", (he wishes not to be identified at this time), yet he came across a family of four, (Mom and Dad, and two children ages 2 and 3). (Due to confidentiality Client/Professional Privilege Laws I cannot use their names). they had just arrived on a Bus from Chicago Illinois, so I went down and met with the family, my understanding is that the City of Chicago had bought the family Bus Tickets to Dubuque, Iowa, telling them that they could get the most in benefits and help in Dubuque, Iowa, so they packed two large suitcases of clothing for them and the kids, and left Chicago to came here to Dubuque, not knowing anyone here nor with any arrangement's of placement or shelter. In single cases, I am able to fmd shelter through one of our local shelters, yet I am a firm believer in keeping a family together, especially when there are children involved, and because of fear, through being passed around in the Chicago Illinois Shelters, they tried to be modest by saying that they would rather fmd a place on the streets. I was concerned that it was starting to get chilly at night, so I jumped on a city bus and went out to Wall -Mart, used my own money, and bought $125.00 in Blankets, and another $5.00 in snacks and food, then I met back up with the family down at the Town Clock, and took them to a safe place located in the Iowa Street Parking Ramp, and waited until they were all settled in. Then the next day I used my own funds to get them in local Motel for 5 days, then I went to another one of my contacts, whom owns a Ti -State Painting Company, and he agreed to add the Dad to one of his painting crews, then I was able to get the family moved into a 2 Bedroom apartment off Peru Rd., and my friend saw me at Hy -Vee last Monday, and he told me that Mark (the Dad) was turning out to being a fast learner, and that he was on the fast track to being one of his best workers. And then I met with Mark on Friday, and he told me that he has a goal of moving his wife's mother to Dubuque next door to them after Christmas, for she is 76 years old, and there is a efficiency apartment that's in the process of being remolded and Mark has made arrangements with the landlord to do all the plastering and painting free in turn for bringing her mother out of Chicago to Dubuque and into that apartment. Another form of paying things forward! Which brings me to my next issue, for I am not rich, and spending my own money, for I myself am living on a fixed income of $750.00 a month, and through my devotion of work, it was so worth buying the blankets that evening along with snacks and food for Mark and his family, and I have never been so proud as to the outcome for that family of four, and it really encourages me into wanting to do more. I have spoken to my best friend and whom is a Dubuque Fire Fighter/Paramedic, and he has agreed to helping me with a Donation Fund, at this time we are applying as a Non -Profit Charity, and I am asking for your help with support and through Financial support. I am excepting donations by all local avenues within the Communities of Dubuque, with these donations the plan is to use all donations to help people, then at the end of the calendar month, what funds are left over will be divided up between the local N.A. And A.A. Groups within the Dubuque area. Again another way of Paying Things Forward, Qualifications: 1. 2— Years of Psychology, University Of Wisconsin 2. 14 years of Treatment within the Iowa State Civil Commitment Treatment Unit 3. Now have 27 years of Sobriety (No Drugs or Alcohol) 4. I have personal connections through Veteran Services 5. I have personal connections through Hillcrest Family Services 6. I have personal connections through Catholic Charities 7. I have personal connections through Dubuque Rescue Mission 8. I have personal connections through The Terresahouse (Women's Shelter) 9. I have personal connections through Saint John's Shelter 10. I have personal connections through Dubuque County Sheriff Depai tinent 11. I have personal connections through Dubuque Police Department Then I apply an Admission Statement, (While in Treatment we were asked to do an Admission Statement) Admission Statement A. I plan to do everything within my power, to have NO MORE VICTIMS, No MORE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, No more illegal Drugs or the use of Alcohol in my life. B. 1 need to accept a positive lifestyle in the remainder of my life. To respect those who are a part of my life, and the interactions of those around me. C. Use consideration, and understanding, with acceptance that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. That they're beliefs can be different from my own. D. 1 need to live in peace and harmony. E. I need to be a loving person, to all my family and friends, and anyone that I Please Send all Donations to: D. J. Scott Counselor/Advocate P.O. Box 1367 Dubuque, Iowa 52004 able to help!