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DMX Released for Concert and Lands in Prison On December 20th, Rapper DMX was moved to the Flamenco Mental Health Unit at Alhambra by the Arizona Department of Corrections. Arizona is the last place you want to end up in jail. With a sheriff who thinks everyone who ever graces a pair of cuffs is guilty, and a staff that implements his stripping of civil rights, I was surprised to read that they moved DMX from the prison to the mental health wing. DMX's real name is Earl Simmons (no, he's not related to Russel Simmons). He also goes by "X".I think that his story can hopefully serve to help others, if he is actually treated in the mental health wing at Alhambra. There are so many inmates who plead with mental problems, and even those with significant mental health histories get refused, so the kind act by Judge Christine Mulleneaux may be the life-saving sentence for DMX. This incarceration marks his 13th time behind bars, but that does not include the trail of felony and misdemeanor charges across the country.It should be noted that he was reportedly arrested for taking a "swig" of alcohol while he was doing a concert in Scottsdale. Court documents list several charges, but keep in mind that Arizona attorneys file as many charges as possible so that something will stick. He was on probation and involved in an 18 month treatment program when he was giving a pass to go do the concert. The alcohol rehab program failed DMX by letting him out to go to a concert. If he was not done then he should not have been released. The treatment facility ought to accept some responsibility for THEIR poor choices that contributed to his arrest. Someone with his severe drug history should not have been released early, especially not to do a concert.DMX: Black and White Jail Stripes to Mental Health Straight JacketDMX has gotten angry and threatened violence when his mental health was questioned by reporters in the past. The Arizona Judge who ordered his movement within facilities apparently thinks that DMX has an undiagnosed mental condition. On top of the bipolar disorder possibilities, DMX has a cocaine problem and likely a drinking problem. His jail mug shots from the latest arrest clearly show weight differences in his face and the eyes of someone troubled. As different mug shots have been taken the progression of a body returning to some sort of health state is seen. I applaud moving DMX to the mental health facility. Arizona has one of the most destructive jail systems, little in the way of rehabilitation, and a horrible mental health system. While DMX does make enough money to pay for his own mental health care outside of jail, he wont do it because he denies having mental health issues. Denial fuels any other behaviors and lands him in trouble, a common scenario among men and women who are not in the spotlight.The barrier is the stigma associated with mental illness. This barrier and denial is stronger in black communities and there is a disparity among black men who seek and get proper mental health treatment. Most people who are mentally ill have denial around their illness and without some type of acceptance it makes it very difficult to move toward treatment. Although people might look at the arrest record of DMX and claim he should just go to prison, it should be obvious by now that jail is not working. His arrests in the past likely stem from drug use and probation violations. People who have substance problems along with mental illness tend to violate their probation conditions, especially if they are not complying with treatment. He is a good example that money does not buy a way out of mental illness, and for as much as he probably tries to stay out of trouble, he finds it because of untreated mental illness.DMX as a Mental Health Role ModelI hope to follow up on DMX and find that he has been evaluated and is being treated for his underlying mental health condition. As a black rapper, he could set a huge example for other young black men and women. With his music, he has the unique opportunity to reach the minds of many people around the world, of all ages and races. Accepting treatment for mental illness is the best thing that he can do for himself and his fans. Mental illness does not discriminate. Just because he was moved to a mental health facility doesn't mean that he has been found insane. Most people with mental illnesses do not know that is what is fueling their behavior. I hope that he takes advantage of the opportunity that he has by being moved out of the jail and into the mental health wing. In a previous interview from the Phoenix jail DMX talks about Arizona being "God's country" because of its beauty, and that he met the devil there as well. The only way to beat the devil that people meet on cold Phoenix streets is to get well. He talked of wanting to be a preacher. He is. He has his music as a pulpit, let him send a message of acceptance and help break down barriers to mental health treatment for all, but especially for black men. I hope that his fans give him an outpouring of support to accept the opportunity for mental health help that is in front of him. He will be a better man, son, friend, rapper, writer, and all around better if he gets help. Otherwise, we'll eventually be writing about his overdose or murder, or an extended prison sentence in Arizona that will take him out of his life and prevent an future music and career.
*DMX YouTube Videos are both interviews with Fox 10 news. The DMX videos are about a year apart and the 2nd one in an interview from the Maricopa County jail in Phoenix, where the Sheriff dresses male inmates in pink to try to humiliate them.
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Source: "Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers" via Glen in Google Reader
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