May 1999 Volume 80 Number 5 "serving the protectors"
Withdrawls
By David Marr

I think we've all missed something at sometime or another, or longed for the “old days” again. I’ve always enjoyed sport and found much enjoyment seeing the Aussies doing well in the cricket recently. But I have missed the footy. The articles in the paper; snippets on TV; the radio discussions; matches on the weekends; even the tipping competition at the office.

Recently I asked the kids if they had any good footy videos I could borrow. I wanted something to reduce the persistent pangs of withdrawal.

Of course, people feel withdrawal pains over a whole host of things: caffeine; nicotine; chocolate; some even miss the office; the work scene; or the socialisation that takes place there. Sometimes it’s hard to admit these things to ourselves, let alone others. Yes, withdrawals can be painful at times.

Sometimes you can see the pain others are feeling. The withdrawal that occurs when sudden death plunges a family into grief. And how each family member struggles to cope in their own way, and just how much that loss means. You see it too when relationships disintegrate and how the blows to personal esteem and pride undermine confidence, security, health and judgement. At times the withdrawal creates such vulnerability and loneliness that some even return to a destructive relationship because it seems better than being alone.

There are times too when it is important to withdraw. Some aspects of lifestyle can become injurious to our health, or to those we love. And sometimes we need a little help to cope with the meaning of all this. But then for some of us it isn’t easy to put up our hands. We can sell ourselves short in life, can’t we? Our mates too, because the true Aussie mates will stand up when it is asked of them. Yes, when we’ve spent a lot of time and effort convincing ourselves and others, it’s difficult to withdraw. Embarrassment can be very disabling and a vicious affliction. It’s unreal what some of us put ourselves through.

I was arguing with one of the kids the other day when my plumber friend, Gus, dropped in. He politely stayed out of things for a while, but finally spoke up, telling me I was being pig headed and bent on winning. I wasn’t too happy at the time I can tell you. He told me later that, from what he could see, someone had to withdraw a bit and it wouldn’t hurt if it was me. After I cooled down, I agreed with his judgement and suggested I was feeling a bit stressed and needing to relax a bit.

Gus suggested he invite a few of the blokes over to his place to watch Collingwood winning the ’91 grand final. I decided to withdraw.

I hope withdrawals aren’t getting the best of you.

SA Police Chaplains

Welfare Section 58	David Marr Tel: 8364 3567
	Senior Police Chaplain.
Academy 8	Mark Thomas. Tel: 8296 9616
Adelaide: Angas Street 158	Bruce Grindlay. Tel: 8295 2220
Adelaide: Hindley Street 62	Bruce Grindlay. Tel: 8295 2220
Adelaide Hills Division 54	Adrian Stephens. Office: 8398 2517
Berri 212	Vacant
Ceduna 214	Bob Borgas. Tel: 086 253 503
Christies Beach 20	Vacant
Clare 202	Michael Dutschke. Tel: 088 423 681
Communications 172	David Hand. Tel: 8295 6992
Elizabeth 52	Stephen Brooks. Tel: 041 884 0739
Far North 210	Tony Redden. Tel: 08 8672 5011
Focus 21	Richard Lawton. Tel: 08 8363 2536
Gawler 52	Brian Tscharke. Tel: 085 222 288
Glenelg 22	Malcolm Thomas. Tel: 8377 0772
Henley Beach 18	Brenton Daulby. Tel: 8443 8286
Holden Hill 44	Tony Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
	Rod Dyson. Tel: 8365 1170
Kadina 71	Mark Dickens. Tel: 8823 2513
Kingston 208	Richard Dutton. Tel: 08 8767 2590
Mount Gambier 208	Brian Ashworth. Tel: 087 231 353 (W) Tel: 087 252 537 (H)
Murray Bridge 200	Malcolm Bottrill. Tel: 085 325 536
Naracoorte 208	Keith Brice. Tel: 087 622 303
Norwood 60	Vacant
Nuriootpa 204	Andy Kowald. Tel: 085 621 011
Para Hills 46	Stephanie Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
Plympton 14	Ian Dempsey. Tel: 8210 8108
Port Adelaide 6	Jeff Oake. Tel: 8341 5930
Port Pirie 206	Vacant
Prosecution Services 176	Vacant
Port Augusta PS 210	Shirley James. Tel: 08 8641 0146
Port Lincoln PS 214	Rob Packer. Tel: 08 8683 0302
Salisbury 53	Stephanie Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
Sturt 12	Brenton Williamson. Tel: 8270 4316
Tea Tree Gully 48	Vacant
Thebarton Barracks 32	Joe Grealy. Tel: 8338 3225
Transit Division	Wayne Shepherd. Tel: 8443 4895
Unley 28	Max Bowers. Tel: 8272 8324
Whyalla 218	John Dunckley. Tel: 08 8645 2500