Close Up: Kate McKenzie Interview
Photographer Diana Frangi meets Kate McKenzie
Kate McKenzie recently featured in Channel 4’s Mum, Heroin and Me, a powerful and touching documentary which dealt with the relationship between Kate and her daughter Hannah, a heroin addict.
Made by award-winning Jane Treays, the film did not glamourise drug dependency; it conveyed the dull, relentless and cruel life of a heroin addict and Kate’s battle to access help, never knowing to what length she will have to stretch for her 21-year-old daughter.
What especially touched the critics was Kate‘s commitment to helping Hannah. She came across as fearless, compassionate, articulate and admirable. Kate, an interior designer, lives in central Brighton.
What was it like being followed by a film crew?
We worked with them for over a year. For Hannah they became another family. For me it was wonderful to have such support and empathy.
What reaction has the film had among your friends and relatives?
There has been overwhelming support from friends and my family. My mother, who is 81, was closely involved in trying to help Hannah come off drugs and felt the film was very important in highlighting this epidemic. I have been thanked by strangers for showing the truth about addiction.
What happens to Hannah now?
Hannah flew to the South Coast Recovery Centre in South Africa just before the programme aired. Seeing her life unfold on screen really made an impression and she realised how she was wasting her life. It was an unexpected result but one I had been hoping for for many years. I am still amazed it has happened.
Will you be doing more documentaries?
The aim was to change attitudes towards addicts and I think it has begun to do that. In conjunction with this I hope to start a campaign to change policies. Help available for addicts is piecemeal and punitive. We need to take addiction out of the criminal and into the medical system. Punishment is not suitable for these vulnerable people.
Do you think heroin should be made legal?
There is a vast difference between making heroin legal and prescribing it. This is where many people become confused and think we are trying to make the drug available to all. It should be prescribed to long term addicts as part of their rehabilitation, under medical supervision. In this way we can eliminate crime and dealers from the problem.
If you were given £200,000, what would you do with it?
I would launch my campaign to change attitudes toward addicts and take the film into schools and colleges where young people can see the effect the drug has not only on the individual concerned, but their family.
Fantasy Dinner Party
Which seven people would you invite and why?
Barack Obama to question his policy with regard to our involvement in the Afghan war and impact on the drug trade; Gordon Brown and David Cameron to see if we could re-think our approach to drug problems in this country and worldwide; my partner Mike Holland who is wholeheartedly behind my campaign to get better rehabilitation for drug addicts. To lighten the conversation and introduce some glamour, Helen Mirren, a very sassy lady; Kristin Scott Thomas, I love her style and elegance; and Marilyn Monroe to keep the politicians happy.
Where would you hold your party?
The Arrogant Frog in Hove, Rosario Guarneri the chef would be in charge of choosing a selection of beautifully cooked French dishes.
What food would you serve?
I would have to have an isle flotante to finish.
What sort of music or entertainment would you have and why?
I adore jazz and swing and would insist the evening ended with dancing.
What would you talk about?
How we can improve the help and treatment available to addicts.
Is there anything you want to ask any of them?
I would ask Marilyn: is Obama the new JFK?
Which one of your guests would you go home with and why?
My partner of course.
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I really hope you do well Kate, we need more compassionate response to drug addiction in our society. Keep up the good work!