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| Picture – Coconuts – Woolsey with Trink |
I was slightly intrigued by the interview by young Canadian ‘video journalist’ Barbara Woolsey on ‘Coconuts’ of the Bangkok Post’s legendary former entertainment columnist Bernard Trink that I decided to dig a little bit further.
Anyone who can lead on the story that Trink in his rounds of the Bangkok a-go-go bars slept with a leper has got to be worth watching.
Trink for those not here ran the Post’s ‘Nite Owl’ column which gave reviews of go-go bars. He was formerly on ‘Bangkok World’ where he even gave the girls a ‘rating’. At 83 years old, we are told, he is still watching porn.
Naturally he had to go.
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| Babs on Facebook |
Anyway Barbara Woolsey, who appears to flip between Berlin and Bangkok, is something of a video star and had recently been down on Koh Phangan where she had filmed the treatment of former methadone and heroin addicts.
Yes. I know you may be thinking why would anyone want to set up such a treatment centre on Koh Phangan?
Would it be possible that the owners like the lifestyle and the Full Moon parties in the centre of tourist Thailand’s drug universe?
(Walter ‘Whacky’ Douglas had set up businesses here before he was accompanied back to Britain late last year).
Or is there a captive market?
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| Coconuts chart – This is not a scientific study |
Anyway here on Koh Phangnan, reveals Canadian Barbara, two guys who look like they have had a background in drugs have started a programme administering doses of the root bark of an African tree which they say cures 80 per cent of addicts who come to them for treatment.
Ibogaine, we are told, can be fatal (and there have been deaths) so Mike and Victor closely monitor what goes on. This seems to be watching their patients’ blood pressure while the patients are tripping on the African hallucinogenic, meanwhile taking copious notes.
‘It reprogrammes your subconscious,’ says Mike. ‘It’s like having your hard drive de-fragmented and then having a completely new operating system installed,’ adds Victor.
It appears that Ibogaine-Thailand, as these guys call themselves, do not have premises, and seem to treat ‘patients’ at a resort hotel.
There is no doctor around so I am guessing that ‘one of the only ibogaine treatment centres in south east asia’ is not registered anyway. But wait, above they claim they are licensed although they do not say what licence they have. They certainly cannot be licensed to treat patients with a drug which is not approved by the Ministry of Health.
Not having a doctor may be because it adds to the expense, raises the profile of the operation to the wrong people, or simply because society has not formally accepted the benefits of ibogaine which is banned in the United States, France and Denmark, Sweden, Belgium…. Thailand has made no decision. If not properly monitored ibogaine can be fatal we are told.
Actually Koh Phangan is an ideal location for other reasons. So many people die there that one more death of a foreigners overdosing would not even merit a second glance.
But let’s not be cynical here. The two patients filmed Broc and John announced later they had been cured. It was nothing short of a miracle.
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| Broc – space cadet |
‘It’s a gift from god’ announces Victor.
Broc, who has ‘Amabilis Insania’ (A fine frenzy) tattooed on a forearm. and who is an absolute space cadet having overdosed on heroin 20 times describes his 24 hour trip as scary.
‘But I popped out of there. Every issue is clear. I do not know how but I don’t care.’ And later ’What a beautiful day’. The birds are singing.’
John, not his real name, who the programme states was a doctor in London, is even more euphoric.
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| ‘John’ Doctor? |
In an interview recorded from Coconuts’ Bangkok headquarters he says:
“I’ve been given a second chance in life. I’m just very grateful.”
John, who said he had been sexually abused as a kid by three adults had found a ‘new me’. And he liked it.
Brocs treatment was ‘sponsored’ by Ibogaine-Thailand.
What Ibogaine-Thailand does not have on the net is a permanent address or a price list. But traditionally rehabilitation treatments for drug addicts do not come cheap in Thailand – usually tens of thousands of dollars in spas, converted from resorts which have not been doing so well.
Often the treatment is supplied by former drugs addicts, but one guy exposed on this site, was not so much a former drug addict but an active user of ‘ice’. He claimed a 90 per cent success rate at his Channah Clinic which moved from Kanchanaburi to Koh Chang.
I am not pretending to be an authority on ibogaine. Those curious might wish to search the internet by googling ibogaine works or ibogaine – it does not work! Then search ‘colloidal-nano-minerals’.
COMMENT:
As for Barbara and ‘Coconuts’ I can only say this. When reporting on miracle cure drug programmes please adopt an attitude of more healthy cynicism. I am making no accusations.
But this video was an open plug for an unregistered and uncontrolled treatment programme by people administering drugs which are not approved and in some countries banned on an island known for its lack of medical facilities .
If somebody dies where will you be? I am no friend of avaricious pharmaceutical companies who appear to be the enemies here, or are they? Is the real enemy common sense?
ALL PICTURES EXCEPT VIDEO ABOVE – COCONUTS TV – AND COCONUTS.COM
Hey Andrew,
You can do better. …I've seen you do better, but your reporting on this story is misleading. The impression you leave readers is that there is some kind of a scam going on… but present no evidence whatsoever only innuendo and common stereotypes.
Ibogaine is an exceptional and amazing plant from Gabon, Africa, that, used for 1000s of years by the Bwiti, for spiritual and healing purposes. Along with another plant mixture from the Amazon, Ayahuasca, both truly have authentic healing properties, including being able to assist in the cure of drug addicts. Typically, the use of these medicines should be administered by an experienced facilitator, not necessarily a shaman, which would be preferable, but not necessary as it is the spirit of the plant that does the work… Generally, doctors, nurses etc are not involved….
Perhaps it is the case in your story that these guys in KP are cured former addicts helping addicts – similar to inner city former addicts performing ayahuasca ceremonies to their addict friends in some cities in the west. But you never explore that possibility. Perhaps, they have no funds to set up a proper treatment centre (like for example Ibogaine house on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia which treats the Hollywood sect and wealthy for 1000s of dollars a week), but it is their dream to do so once they can raise enough cash. Perhaps the plant "told" them or inspired them to start a treatment centre to help others – even though they had no cash – maybe they don't list their price list because they don't charge any or on a donation basis…. but again no exploration of these possibilities from your side…. You seem to have formed what comes across as a negative opinion based on minimal info and published without digging deeper….
No one can prove scientifically how these plant teachers work. But almost to a person, people who take them with respect and positive intentions somehow become more "spiritual" , gain insights into this life and beyond. Not for the weak of heart though as the experience often involves a good deal of puking, shitting, mucous release as the body tries to rid itself of toxins….
If you really want to help others from unscrupulous foreigners in Thailand, why don't you at least take the necessary time to investigate – maybe you can even visit and undergo a session…
BTW, I do not know or have affiliation whatsoever with this group in KP.
My son is dead from thus treatment from these 2 Cowboys. No medical training, no medical treatment available, no resuscitation attempted. The only thing they tried to do, was to cover it all up.
Thank you. I do not pretend to be an expert on ibogaine nor is it my job to be so. I am merely pointing out the obvious. No matter what its qualities it is banned in several countries and there should quite clearly be controls. I freely admit I have not researched ayahuasca ceremonies and readers of the above letter should exercise caution particularly over the statement that it is the 'spirit' of the plant which is its secret.
Andrew I came across a story a day or two ago and I strongly believe this Ibogaine program is a deadly scam.
I came across the sad story of the couple from Mandurah in Perth Australia who met with Victor Cracknell who runs the Ibogaine treatment Centre in Thailand. Brodie Smith died soon after receiving his first dose& the blue hexagonal 'valium' tablet I too live in Perth& worked in retail Pharmacy for ten years. I worked at a Pharmacy that ran the methadone& subutex program for individuals who are addicted to heroin. I'm concerned the 'valium' Brodie and his girlfriend where administered was in fact Subutex as they too are blue& hexagonal… If this is the case Brodie most likely was overdosed unwittingly.
I underwent the ibogaine treatment at the centre, our of 'spiritual' curiosity rather than addiction. I not only survived it obviously. But I'm better off for it. Unfortunate as it is that a death did seem to occur, I would recommend ibogaine to anyone, including you Andrew. I almost feel it should be obligatory, as basic as a birth certificate, for every human being to become a true citizen of the earth.
Best,
Bjorn
Oh my god these 2 illiterate cowboys almost killed me too ! They didn't give a shit too if I have ulcer and it fucked my stomach this my heart too I was feeling that I'm dying like literally my heart is about to explode and they don't give a shit there only hope is Valium and I remember mike told me once that someone jumped off the cliff and he was laughing I was like wtf is wrong with u is this a retreat it's a shit hole place with 3 jokers awaitng ur death and not to mentioned how grumpy and ass holes they are and I warned him u will get what U deserve. Before some ones dies and y'all get fuked ! I guess god responded to me ! I'm really happy to know they have been exposed for there killer therapy they know no shit about anything stupid cowboys indeed ! I have heart cardio issue now and they call it me being paranoid ! I just wish phangan don't have this vast mafia that would put them to work in no time fucking drug dealers !