I don't normally do tv cookery programmes, but somehow found myself watching a new series called 'Two Greedy Italians' on BBC1 last Wednesday. It's the latest offering of that genre where to be frank the cooking is very secondary to the characters, the stories and the fabulous landscape. After some 45 minutes, I found myself being gently seduced by the scenery, the banter between the two main characters, the classy classic car and then suddenly when least expecting it - bham - a smack in the face and work! The viewer suddenly becomes aware that our two characters are not visiting just any old vineyard and winery, but rather we have entered the utterly surreal world of drug rehabilitation, Italian style.
The San Patrignano project near Rimini is truely amazing in terms of scale, aspiration and concept. A massive 1,000 bed therapeutic residential community, funded entirely by charitable giving and the sale of some of the most mouth watering food and wine you could ever hope to sample. Throughout my entire career I have bemoaned the lack of residential drug rehabilitation beds and instead our reliance on community-based methodone prescribing. This one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn't work and is so narrow and unsophisticated in concept.
Well here in stark contrast we have an absolutely fabulous example of how the whole person can be treated in a truly holistic manner and helped to achieve their full potential as human beings irrespective of their backgrounds and in a drug free environment. Not a hint of methadone anywhere, the residents are asked to sign up to a determination to work towards a life without drugs. Quite clearly many residents have significant criminal backgrounds in addition to addictions and emotional problems, but seemingly benefit from quite lengthy stays measured in years rather than months. And who couldn't benefit from a lengthy stay in such beautiful surroundings living on fine food and wine?
Until I saw this, I had been pretty impressed with the Clink Restaurant experiment at HMP High Down, but this Italian project is something else and I would urge anyone vaguely interested in the mostly depressing subject of drug addiction to have a look at episode one which I gather will remain on i-player until the end of May. As you watch, just absorb the fantastic attention to the design detailing of the whole facility and ask yourself if it looks like a drug rehab to you? Having recently been on holiday to Italy, I have to say that their flair and skill in design is something to behold and should put us all to shame back here. This programme shows that good Italian design encompasses more than just the fabric though. A real lift to the spirit!
Jim,
ReplyDeleteThanks for link to 'Two Greedy Italians' as excuse for lite entertainment for tonight.. as for one size fits all.. you maybe interested in article below.. on the inside view of the mis/use of evidence based MOJ policy making.. connection to Italian Cooking.. rich al forno cooking & ' fart catching' ( read article)
By the way the newly appt CIP ( goes before the JSC next wk( 11 th MAY).. for ' pre-trial hearing..as nxt sessions of Role of Probation resumes. ( arrivederci A Bridges!) you may have a posting ready for this ? or know colleagues in Wilts who have a view of what to expect?
Regards
Mike
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8120088&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S0047279410000723
Thanks for your kind words..it's rough sometimes as the argument seems to often be "there are people who cannot or will not stop doing drugs and we have to live with that". Well, that's true but it's a pretty lousy way to form general drug policy. I ask people who say that "what if it were your child? Would you be content with long term harm reduction or would you want the best life possible for him/her that everyone deserves?".
ReplyDeleteThat is San Patrignano's goal. Giving people a chance to go from "the worst" to "the best"...
Thank you again and if you are planning to be in Italy
please feel free to contact us.
Monica (SP)
mluppi@sanpatrignano.org
I have just watched this program and was completely blown away by this project.
ReplyDeletealthough i am still technically homeless On several evenings each week i go out in central london talking to people on the street trying to make sure they eat properly but have been thinking for several years that a project of this kind would be fantastic here in england. Although I went way off the radar my experience is that food as well as gardening are things that allow us to switch off and contemplate whilst carrying out the necessary tasks
i would love to help to set up something like this here
some people i have met i think are maybe a bit too far gone but so many peole i met were ex offenders and ex army who would be happy to find a wa1y back into society
"Two Greedy Italians" shows a false, stereotipical and shallow picture of italians and their food culture. It offers no depth or true knowledge about food but only cheap entertainment by two fat men lacking respect for the tradition. It is sad to see, since this country offers so much more to enjoy and learn.
ReplyDelete