RIP, Henry Louis Granju

Sometime yesterday Katie Granju reactivated mamapundit.com and provided details about her son Henry’s Episcopal service in Knoxville, TN, to celebrate his life. It was held this morning. She also announced the creation of an endowed fund being set up in his name:

“Our family is starting what we hope will become a permanent, endowed fund that will provide scholarships for families who cannot afford to pay for needed drug and alcohol treatment programs for their children. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you remember our boy and his struggles by considering a donation to:

The Henry Louis Granju Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o Administrator: James Anderson
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
2000 Meridian Blvd.
Suite 290
Franklin, TN 37067”

My contribution goes in the mail today. I believe strongly that research and treatment must replace America’s Drug War policies. These were insane 25 years ago, when it was clear even then that they were futile and counterproductive. These policies are today way beyond insane, having been taken to an illogical conclusion that is somewhere outside the known Universe.

I will send an equal contribution to A Woman’s Place here in Tuscaloosa, on whose Advisory Board I sit.  The logo, shown here, was designed by board member Kathy Bryars.

 

AWP, part of the Indian Rivers Community Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center, is one of the few treatment facilities in Alabama for women; it serves indigent patients, Medicaid patients, and those who can afford to pay for the services.

The problem is the waiting list, a most common problem with treatment facilities in the U.S.

Its physical facility exists in large part because of private contributions, and the Advisory Board is currently working on including halfway houses and programs as part of the services.

 

The Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting that Henry Granju’s death is under investigation:

[Henry’s uncle Robert] Allison said the family has given authorities the names of witnesses to the assault, as well as the names of Granju's alleged attackers.

The account also reports that Henry’s attack left the victim bleeding from his ears, with a broken jaw, broken ribs and brain injury, and that “the injuries were complicated by a dose of methadone he was given later the same night by acquaintances, who failed to call E-911 on his behalf until the next morning.”

Justice can be served in the court system; it can also be served by ordinary Americans’ donations to research and treatment.

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