Julie Hamp No. 10 in PR Week's "Power List", No. 1 in Badly Timed Awards
Resigned Toyota PR chief Julie Hamp was named to PR Week’s “Power List” two weeks after being busted for allegedly importing illegal prescription painkillers into Japan last month. Hamp allegedly received 57 pills of Oxycodone in a box labeled “necklaces” at Narita Airport in Tokyo.
The list, which ranks her No. 10, was released the same day Hamp resigned her position and included an editor’s note at the top explaining the awkward timing.
The author of Hamp’s listing, Senior Vice President of Global Communications for General Motors Tony Cervone, noted Hamp’s ascendance as a woman in a field typically dominated by men:
“Julie understands the need for consistency, but allows it to be expressed naturally and authentically, with special sensitivity to cultural nuances. She understands discipline, but doesn’t drive bureaucracy. In short, Julie provides a great balance. And she fully deserves to be “the first” in so many ways.”
Hamp is reportedly in jail awaiting charges in Japan. According to the Wall Street Journal, her trial in Japan could last anywhere from six months to a year, if it even goes that far.
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A little over a hundred years ago, Americans - and Japanese - adults could buy whatever they wanted. Most were fine - they did things like - invent airplanes. Some became addicted, and didn't do fine. Life went on. Now, fortunes are spent, and made, with all those involved with addictive substances - and about the same percentage of people run into trouble with addictions, and the rest do not.
Julie clearly didn't get the memo that you're only supposed to stick to nicotine and caffeine. Maybe manufacturing only dips? I can't imagine it would be overly professional spitting into a spittoon during a board of directors meeting. My last manufacturing director thought my (legal) substance abuse was hilarious.
The only straightforward explanation of all this has been on Daily Kanban. Narita Airport is only peripherally involved. http://dailykanban.com/2015/06/julie-hamp-did-not-require-pain-medication-reports-say/
Chances are really good that she had legal prescriptions for some kind of real medical need, and that led to a dependance. Then comes the doctor shopping to get multiple prescriptions which is illegal. How many pills a day did she take, how long and what strength all matter in how much w/d she will experience. For most, that w/d is like a flu to end all flus. Severe chills, diarrhea, achy legs and muscles, insomnia, headaches and a general malaise that will persist for 8 to 10 days. That will be what she deals with if she has a cold turkey experience. Not particularly pleasant. Nor uncommon. Vicodin and Oxy are one of the most widely prescribed meds there are. Because of this problem, the rules are changing. For example, NYS now requires docs to check the iSTOP database before cutting a script and the pharmacy is required to check it to see if the script is legit and there are not multiple docs. This way you can get the drugs when needed but have checks in place to prevent abuse.